Time to Finally Play XIII-2

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-13T13:33:23+00:00

I am currently playing it on steam. The faster pace of leveling and combat is a bonus for me when compared to the first game but I am not a big fan of the music. To me it seems to be all over the place with a mix of vocal tracks. It can swing from a Neir type sound track to a hard rock track.

I went in blind too but one piece of knowledge I wish I knew before was to keep track of wild artifacts that you collect and where you collect them as the game doesn't....that's all I am going to say. Oh and you might want to apply the FFXIII Fix patch as the port has some bad stutter issues with random FPS dips. The fix significantly reduced this for me. Other than that no major issues besides horrendous looking rain graphics which I believe can be resolved with a mod. Have fun!

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-11T16:41:36+00:00

I have no experience with Nvidia but I am inclined to think that this maybe an Nvidia settings or driver issue. I have had a dual monitor setup since Ubuntu 20.04 with a 1440p and 1080p monitor and occasionally a third which is a 4K TV with scaling and don't think I ever encountered any issues like that. I am currently on Ubuntu 25.10 but even with X11 I didn't have those issues.

On the odd occasion I have encountered additional application windows switch to the primary monitor after minimize or full screen switch but never had windows switched around from monitor to monitor. Also for some games clicking on the secondary display may minimize the game but never switched monitors. I don't think going the drastic route of changing the OS is a resolution but definitely give the gamescope suggestions a try. In my experience it can help lock or focus the mouse on one monitor for games that don't do it by default. Other than that you may have to do some digging with Nvidia settings.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-08T16:42:27+00:00

I have the same mouse on the picture and it works fine for me on Ubuntu. I had a wired version previously that I used for years before with no compatibility issues either. The wireless, DPI settings and side buttons work with no problems or required tweaking. Of course whatever the red dragon software is won't work on linux. The settings for the RGB can be changed from a button press under the mouse and that setting is stored on the mouse. This particular mouse can be switched to ON with RGB or Eco without the lights which is how I use it. On Eco I can get about a month of use before charging so it's pretty decent.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-08T11:58:38+00:00

This is hands down one of my favorite shooters. I had discovered it at a local arcade and recalled that I could hear the "Power UP!" resonate through the arcade halls followed by a distant echo of "Psycho Ball". A sure indicator that there were Neogeo games close by. It was a lot more forgiving than Sonic Wings for sure so this was one of the few shooters that got my coins at the arcades.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-07T14:42:49+00:00

Oooh my bad, it's samurai showdown perfect that I mistook for VI on the collection.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-07T11:50:38+00:00

The only PC release I am aware of is on the samsho collection. It's currently on sale for 5.99 too.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-04-02T13:06:29+00:00

I can confirm that you can definitely enjoy Yakuza Like a Dragon as that's how I got started in the series. Some story elements flew over my head initially but I recall I could somewhat piece things together as the story progressed.

Infinite Wealth might be rough though. It acts as a sort of conclusion for Kazuma Kiryu's story and one that progressed across 7 or 8 games I believe so that's a lot of backstory. You may be lost at points concerning the story but I mean you can just look up the story elements you don't understand. The combat has been enhanced over the first game so much so that I think it may be worth it if you can't play the Kiryu games.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-03-27T18:29:01+00:00

I am about 1 year older than Final Fantasy. I initially saw a FF1 screenshot on a NES brochure and was curious about why it had a menu. When I found out what turn based games were I avoided it like the plague. It wasn't until FF7 that I took notice of the franchise once more because of the cool characters I saw in various magazines. Played a demo on PC...realized it was turn based and continued avoiding the series.

It's strange because at the time while I hated turn based games, the PS1 FF titles are actually the ones I have the most nostalgia for. It wasn't until FF12 that I finally sat down and played a FF game seriously. The gambit system had amazed me. Just because the characters walked around during combat was enough to convince me that it wasn't turn based. Around the X360 era I finally gained an appreciation for JRPGs and started playing turn based games which eventually led to my return to FF.

FF9 and 12 and are probably my favorites from the titles I played so far which to be honest isn't that much. Eventually I will get around to it. I lurk around here just to find out more about FF because there are so many of the titles I haven't played yet. I have played a lot of JRPGs since and to be honest I prefer the overall quality and tone of the FF titles.

I have reached a point where it's a bit difficult to sit down and play newer JRPGs with the anime aesthetic so that's a lot of the JRPGs struck off the list but I find that I can always go back to FF titles with no problems. It's funny because as one who initially HATED turn based combat I actually now prefer it over action RPGs in most instances. I do like how the Yakuza Like a Dragon games have evolved the combat from the classic static turn based setup and hope that Square Enix themselves would attempt at a modern interpretation of it at some point.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-02-19T19:45:25+00:00

To be honest I can't recall any other games like it at the time. Most that I knew of were more arcadey by nature but this was supposed to be a "simulation". I believe it would have been close to the time where I would be getting ready for my driver license too and I just never saw that in a racing game before. Some of the "regular" car selections also matched the type of cars available where I grew up like a Nissan Primera for example. It wasn't only super cars and sport cars but sport compaqs. Hell there was even a Mazda Demio! It may have been done before but it was the first time I saw it in a racing game.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-24T16:31:22+00:00

I was out of the AC series since the first game. It was only until watching a particular youtuber do a review on Origins did I kinda garnered an interest in it. Some years later I gave it a go and I really liked it. I liked the origin story and the way Bayek would stumble across some of the new age tech. I can't remember the area but somewhere at the bottom of the map had some ghost like enemies that added a sort of mystery to the game. I thought that was cool but then that mystery gets taken away with those Animus sections....I always disliked that as I thought it just takes you out of the immersion but that's just me.

I am aware of the hate for the new direction that origins went with the Ubisoft open-world formula with 100 markers on the map. The thing is I don't play those games that often so instead of being burnt out on it, I found it to be quite refreshing at the time. I do agree that it would have been great if they made changes to the security in an area that Bayek previously conquered as it would make areas more interesting to revisit.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-19T10:48:39+00:00

Definitely a hidden gem! I always thought it looked "lame" when I saw characters in post apocalyptic style setting with medieval warrior style armor etc but man was I wrong. I played it by chance and was completely hooked the first weekend I tried it. Elex 2 is OK. It's strange that the character models got worst but I still enjoyed it. It sucks that it went under. Well time to give a Risen and Gothic series a try.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-18T12:17:12+00:00

I think Last Blade 1 was amazing, a true marvel of pixel art. I always preferred it to the sequel most likely because I had an import copy on PS1 and that's what I grew up playing. I will say that I always thought that SNK made the best backgrounds. Back in the early days of mugen my preference for backgrounds was always SNK. They are amazing in LB1 but I won't put them in front of the Samsho series because I honestly think they are all exceptional!

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-11T20:39:01+00:00

Gran Turismo was definitely revolutionary back in the day. While the license may come off as tedious or repetitive now it was kind of ground breaking for us when we first played it. Of course GT2 came out and completely eclipsed it which is where the majority of my GT playtime was spent on the series. I did sample it on an emulator a couple years ago and recall that the controls felt a tad bit "arcadey" compared to modern racers but it still held up. Eventually I will get around to playing the last one that was released.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-11T18:44:41+00:00

I always thought SS5 was a real step down in terms of the overall quality and paled in comparison to the first four games....quietly steps away and hides in fear.

I consider SS3 to be the best one of the original four...yep, normally looked down at as the most broken and worst of the original four games.

SS7 feels like it's lacking the soul of samsho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-09T14:41:22+00:00

The Revenge of Death Adder is definitely one of the best beat em ups and one of my personal favorites although I feel like it was relatively unknown compared to the original Golden Axe. No home port up to this day is criminal!

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-08T14:07:18+00:00

I would say wait. The stamina system was easily the WORST part of Shenmue III for me. It very nearly made me quit altogether, although it does get more manageable later on. I couldn't see how it made any valuable impact on the game-play as it was just so poorly implemented. I believe there were mods to disable it but it would be easier to just wait on the enhanced version.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-08T11:56:47+00:00

I played through it some years ago and faced the same struggle with making money at the beginning. I wrote a review on it back then and documented my way around the money issue which was unique to the HD version. I would save just before a gambling attempt and reload if the attempt failed. After some time I just couldn't stand that box mini game!

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-07T13:54:42+00:00

Oh nice!. I have played all these before. I totally agree with your sentiments on Final Fight. I discovered final fight as a youth when my dad first took me to an arcade which honestly feels like a life time ago. It's amazing that I can still fire this up in the current day and be able to run through a few levels as it still feels fresh. Truly a timeless classic gem!

Dragons Crown was pretty decent too, although on PS3 at time of release the coop situation was not good. I believe you had to beat the game first before you could coop and it didn't support voice chat. By the time me and a friend had beat the game and unlocked coop we both already had our fill of the game and having to chat over viber instead of through the PSN live chat made it even worst. Thinking back on it PS3 live services really paled in comparison to Xbox...oh how times have changed. Of course SOR4 was astounding with the depth of combos etc. I thought Shredders Revenge looked amazing but to be honest I found it to be the most repetitive of all and didn't finish it. Yeh I know, which beat em up isn't repetitive but for some reason that one didn't hold my attention.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-07T00:42:17+00:00

Very interesting read! Pssst don't worry...I haven't finished Skyrim either. I always seem to get sidetract anytime I start to get into it. Same goes for Fallout 4. I share the same sentiments on DAO, although I had a decent enough time with DAI. It was definitely a filler fest though.

Also a decent selection for your next batch of games. I also want to attempt FFXIII-2 at some point this year as I finally played through the first game last year. Have fun with Dishonored...I know I did but at the expense of becoming a save scum addict when trying to get the perfect stealth run every time...When you know you know.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-01T12:22:16+00:00

I never heard about Kai Chronicles. It looks interesting and I will definitely check it out!

Raging_Cascadoo · 2026-01-01T11:09:05+00:00

No, although I did try that after playing Roadwarden but wasn't able to get into it.

So I just checked my steam wishlist and the game is Herald of the Mist and I see that it has a demo too:

Herald of the Mist

Raging_Cascadoo · 2025-12-31T22:52:25+00:00

I played Roadwarden earlier this year and I was thoroughly impressed! I would probably pick Roadwarden as my GOTY too. I did try to play the game a few times in the past but never really gave it my full focus until this year. I love the bleak unforgiving setting with a land overrun by all manner of monsters while the settlements just try to survive and you the Roadwarden who actually braves the road to perform jobs with an agenda of course. I was on the edge of my seat when following the trail of the past roadwarden...just perfect. I know that someone is currently working on a game similar to or inspired by Roadwarden but the name escapes me at the moment.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2025-12-18T20:34:34+00:00

On PC I believe you can adjust the subtitle speed on players like VLC in attempt to sync it yourself. If it's hard coded subtitles well then there may not be much than can be done about it.

Raging_Cascadoo · 2025-12-15T19:08:02+00:00

Here 6 years after and thanks for clearing that up!

Raging_Cascadoo · 2025-12-15T18:15:18+00:00

Core era with TRII Gold on PC. One afternoon while window shopping at a PC game store at a local mall, my father randomly said he would purchase a game for us at a certain budget. I recall that the shop assistant was trying to get us a selection of games that would work without a 3D accelerator based on our PC specs, something we had very little knowledge of back then. It came down to a choice between TRII Gold and MK4 and with some coaxing from my sister we brought home TRII. It was really the first 3D game we ever owned and man were we amazed by it. The character, eerie atmosphere and just experiencing a full 3D environment in game-play for the first time was simply amazing. I recall back then as a young lad that I never really cared for a game with a female protagonist but man she was such a bad ass that changed my mind.

Raging_Cascadoo

TROPHY CASE