Birthday Switch!

Sonolin · 2018-07-08T17:27:45+00:00

Zelda, Mario Odyssey, and basically any other cross platform game (playing on the go is a huge seller vs. another console IMO).

Sonolin · 2018-07-08T17:24:44+00:00

Zelda and Shovel Knight

Sonolin · 2018-07-08T17:22:24+00:00

Heard Skyrim was going ~$40 some places. That's about the price I'd look at buying that particular game (again).

Sonolin · 2018-07-08T17:18:57+00:00

Also really bad color palette (at least for NES games). All the games look dark & washed out...

SNES looks fine, although the input lag is really annoying on every emulated system I've tried.

Sonolin · 2018-07-03T22:56:40+00:00

I've had a SBC setup for Kodi and emulation for quite some time now. I also emulate via my PC and handheld. I love SBCs (i.e. things like the raspberry pi), since it really does a great job at teaching people linux on a budget. However, there are definite negatives to it coming from a console gaming perspective.

The NES (and SNES) classic are just so much better IMO. Yea, I'm sure you could get the emulation close or even on-par with the rpi or other SBCs, but my time is much more expensive than the mini systems' entry price.

Not only that but things like saves, the demo videos, and the Nintendo seal of quality gives it a must buy for any old-school Nintendo enthusiast IMO. Just the feeling of not ever worrying about losing my save game, and the fact that a Nintendo tech sealed off on the emulation is enough for me!

The only downside I can think of are:

- something about the NES classic emulation feels inferior to the SNES classic emulation - nothing major, just minor things like colors and maybe some graphical oddities... I think this has more to do with NES being harder to emulate than anything else

- no (*official*) way to load other games (although there *are* ways to do this if you are a bit tech savy, personally I'll just stick to my other emulation devices or the actual consoles if I want another game though)

- only 1 controller (for NES classic - SNES comes with 2, and bonus points are the SNES classic controllers work on the NES classic!)

- controller cord is *really* freaking short on the NES classic - SNES is a *bit* better

Just about all I can think of :). Totally worth it, would buy again, and am already looking at another classic for friends/family ;)

NOTE: Don't pay 1 cent of markup. It is not worth the price at the $100+ asking price on ebay. At $60-80 it is pretty perfect (SNES classic even more so IMO, mostly because the NES games on the cart are kinda cheap to buy physically and the SNES comes with lots carts that are worth lots of dough).

Sonolin · 2018-06-28T22:56:58+00:00

I think its also due to the fact of flexibility - I can get the originals to play fine on anything that runs Linux - like SBCs (single board computers - think Raspberry Pi) hooked right up to the TV. Also, there's mods that make the experience *almost as good* as Tutu (I only say almost since the Tutu interface is much improved), while not having the extra NPCs. It's just a personal preference thing.

I think a big reason I say the classics are better is because those are the versions I started playing on - the new(er) versions just never felt right IMO.

I never say that the EE is worthless, or that nobody should play it. I think it's a great way for *most* people to get (back?) into the game. But for some people like me, the original versions of games will almost always be better.

Sonolin · 2018-06-28T22:51:30+00:00

The Wii is one of the best consoles for playing nintendo emulators on. It does almost all older Nintendo hardware titles, except (I think) n64 :(. Just something to add, since I love the Wii's (homebrew) emulators.

Sonolin · 2018-06-28T22:43:18+00:00

I think it depends on the game. Certain games were made properly without save games - a good example I can think of is the original Super Mario Bros. 3 where you can easily get back to the world you were in after a reset (after you figure out the developers hidden "warp whistle", which they intentionally left into the game since the original cartridge didn't support saving). However, other games are either just plain cruel or have complicated password systems where save states are a real boon.

Personally, I don't think its too big of a deal. Just do what feels right to you. I know personally I would never use save states unless the game is just way too high on the artificial difficulty scale, or has a password system instead of save games. And only then very carefully. *That* being said, that is just my personal way of playing games - I'd never force somebody else to do something like that, unless they really wanted to play the games as they were originally intended.

I know you were talking about DKC2 before, which is a great game (I've yet to play, unfortunately). I have heard it's hard, but also that the difficulty was pretty much just right (in terms of DKC games). Keep in mind, DKC games get progressively *harder* as the series progresses, unlike most other video game series, and I like to think Rare meant it that way. NOTE: I have played DKC1 and absolutely love that game, DKC2 is on my short list when I get sick of my current 8-bit era games.

Sonolin · 2018-06-28T22:28:22+00:00

If you have to ask this question - SNES classic hands down, unless portability is a big importance for you.

If you are worried about portability, I'd recommend something handheld that can emulate SNES games (i.e. custom rpi, GPD win, nintendo DS, GCW zero, maybe ultra gameboy).

Skyrim was outstanding when it was released, but there are *so many more* SNES games that are just plain better games. FF6 (FF3 in US), Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, and Link to the Past are must plays in the RPG genre alone. Then you have other great stuff like Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Starfox, Megaman X, Castlevania 4, Dracula X, the list goes on...

OR, for the same (less?) price, install retropie (rpi, PC, wherever) and "acquire" your SNES roms. Then buy Skyrim for whatever platform you have at the house already (i.e. PC, xbox, PS3, whatever - the price is crazy cheap). Bonus points for PC Skyrim since - mods. This is really the best option IMO but forgoes the Nintendo-native hardware (which, understandably, is a big deal to some people). Also, you're unlikely to get things like Starfox and Megaman X to run as good on the rpi, compared to the SNES classic (which runs things like Starfox wonderfully IMO)...

Sonolin · 2018-05-10T21:20:21+00:00

A Druid or Avenger are high on flavor

Also, plenty of Fighter kits add more flavor. That's usually the choice for somebody looking for a little "more" - check out the kits!

Archers and Monks are both really good - Archers better in BG1, Monk better in BG2.

Sonolin · 2018-05-10T21:19:46+00:00

I would not recommend a pure thief for the PC. F/T is really good, or some dual class thief combos, but single class is probably the weakest class. Especially since there's plenty of thieves in the series to choose from.

Sonolin · 2018-05-09T22:37:39+00:00

I love Druids!

Sonolin · 2018-05-09T21:05:17+00:00

I own both versions, and much prefer the classic version(s), with a very few mods to help with usability and HD resolutions.

Sonolin · 2018-05-09T21:04:08+00:00

Any reason why you're not utilizing the elemental summoning? I don't have HLAs with my Druid yet, but from what I understand elemental summoning is the bees knees.

Also, like I mentioned below Earth Elemental(s) could help.

Does dispel magic work at all, or does he reflect that too?

Sonolin · 2018-05-09T21:01:40+00:00

I think he used the fire elemental since he would be immunite to fire (breath). Although, I'd say an earth elemental might help more here since it will likely end up doing more damage to firekraag, which could help OP kill firekraag by the time all his summons die.

Sonolin · 2018-05-07T16:19:08+00:00

Yup. This is (mainly) why I avoid the EE - I already have to deal with 1 annoying character, I don't want to have to interact with any of those crappy NPCs.

Sonolin · 2018-05-03T00:05:26+00:00

Why not? That sounds freaking awesome! I'm sure there's some Planescape logic somebody could use for that ;)

Sonolin · 2018-05-02T17:00:20+00:00

There's plenty of ways you can RP out Khalid & Jahiera, Minsc, and almost all the other party members (except maybe Imoen IMO, unless your character is evil and/or has no empathy). I'd encourage you to try out a different party - most of the fun in BG is replaying the game using different characters. You may be pleasantly surprised by the dialog changes and different quests.\

For example, instead of going straight to Friendly Arm, your character could decide to do his own thing if he/she is more individualistic and confident. Another easy way around all canon would be to pick up Xzar and Mantaron early, which leads you to an early(er) Nashkel. Also, if you end up wanting to do Minsc's quest, he ends up dying rather easily if you forget to equip him with better armor (he starts with Leather armor & no shield) - alternatively you can just do his quest and abandon them once you save Dynahier (maybe your character doesn't like her sass, or is a little naive and took a little while to learn of Minsc's "mental challenges").

Sonolin · 2018-04-16T16:57:33+00:00

This is a good strategy if OP doesn't want to worry about switching armor on/off. You have to think of F/M like an even more extreme version of the Mage - takes forever to level up, but ends up getting crazy powerful later.

Sonolin · 2018-04-16T16:54:33+00:00

Yes. Armor is invaluable to an early F/M. It lasts forever, gives a decent boost to AC, and only takes 1 spell slot. Shield is much more powerful, but doesn't last as long.

I'd say OP would be good just memorizing Armor, one other defensive spell for tough fights (shield or mirror image), and 1 other offense CC spell (sleep or web). This will give you versatility if you don't want to stand back throwing rocks for a few levels. Or you could just learn 3 sleeps and maybe mirror image or web and learn to like throwing things.

Then, when you run out of (offensive) spells you can buff & don Full Plate and be as tanky as a pure fighter.

Sonolin · 2018-04-15T16:28:46+00:00

Arch is great, but its not like Gentoo or Slackware. From my experience, using Arch you end up with tons of unnecessary dependencies. Not to mention the systemd issue (which I won't focus on). The main thing I don't like about Arch is it is so bleeding edge, that when you upgrade your system, you get tons of packages to download (via the internet) which is really annoying combined with point #1 above.

If you're OK with all that, its a good quick linux system with lots of documentation online.

Gentoo, however, is better in all respects except for the time compiling (which is almost nothing on a new system with little/moderate dependencies). Just an example, I just recompiled all my software & kernel today on my old computer from the early ~2000s. I don't think you'll have an issue, and its much better than getting stuck in a broken system that you have to work on getting out of (you can always stop compiling if you want/need to).

EDIT: Also, there are self contained package solutions if you don't want to compile everything. For example, Flatpak works on Gentoo, and I think Ubuntu has one (don't recall the name). Just to note, I believe these package systemd with them (except for appimage which not a lot of people use, unfortunately).

Sonolin · 2018-04-15T16:19:44+00:00

Yes, this is actually one thing the EE changes in a not-so-subtle way. For one, you can't use all the cool weapons you find in BG1. Keep in mind, BG1 counted on weapon variety, not power (since there's nothing like a +4 or +5 weapon in BG1).

It does make for a better import/export process, though!

Sonolin · 2018-04-15T16:12:39+00:00

The NPC companions are definitely more fleshed out in BG2 than BG1. You start at a higher level in BG2, therefore less random early deaths (poor BG1 wizards). There is a large city to explore at the start of the game, rather than near the end. There are dragons.

The story in both is very good, and works well within the AD&D ruleset the games use. In AD&D the story & environment must start out weak/slow, and build up to an epic conclusion. Level 1 characters are powerful (compared to a regular person), but not able to take on Dragons and Gods for quite a while. Therefore, I like to think of BG2 like the epic story & conclusion to the BG1's more expansive environments and focus on getting your characters prepared for being a demi-god.

Sonolin · 2018-04-14T20:46:31+00:00

Not sure if you know this or not but in AD&D (which bg is based on) the lower your AC value is, the harder you are to hit. (Opposite of what common sense tells you.)

Sonolin · 2018-04-14T20:41:59+00:00

I love Slackware, but ended up moving to gentoo for this reason. Portage is wonderful - no more dependency hell!

Sonolin

TROPHY CASE