PixlBit

I like random battles. People say that it's better when you can see the enemies on screen, but I see two problems with that. 1: Most games that use that encounter type invariably put enemies in such a way that you'll have to encounter them anyway. 2: Why would you want to avoid battles? In an RPG where you need to fight to get stronger, you're just setting yourself up for needless grinding in the endgame. Assuming that the encounter rate and XP gain is smooth, of course.

In old-school RPGs, I never run from fights. I may even spend a little extra time in each dungeon just to get some extra XP. So that element of this game wouldn't turn me off. One question though-is the exploration in first person like the first Persona game? That's the only one I ever played, and I found the first person exploration of school hallways to be boring and a little confusing.

Oh, and I agree. That moment in the first inFAMOUS was powerful stuff in a game that didn't do much for me in the way of narrative.

I think the beauty of video games is that you can have the opportunity to see a different outcome. I'm currently playing Mass Effect for the third time, but I could easily see myself playing through the game a couple more. Same with Dragon Age. I want to see all the content, and for me, each character has different motivations and feelings. So something that one of my characters wouldn't bat an eye at may make another character cringe.

Hmm. It's difficult for me to say. I always liked the tank controls in RE. Since the game would change camera angles on you, knowing that up would always move your character forward just clicked for me. I think they are great games, but you might want to skip to 3 if you ever play one. With the polygonal environments came analog control.

Catherine was one of my favorite games of 2011. I think the story went into some very deep and real places, even if it careens into serious anime territory at the zero hour. I'm curious--as a woman, what did you think about the issues that Vincent was dealing with? I feel like the story is a very male one. Not the normal hero fantasies seen in most every game, but specifically the way the new generation of 30-something males deal with growing up, monogamy, and responsibility.

For my part, there were elements of Vincent that I could really relate to. Not the infidelity, but his need to man up and take control of his life at last. It was a powerful game for me that has really stuck with me.

I think that's your new catch phrase.

Silent Hill is one of the most terrifying experiences in games for me. Silent Hill 2 scared me, but I agree that disturbing is the right word for it. Who can forget that scene with Pyramid Head and the manniquin legs? *shudder*

You look like the singer from your mom.

Having just played Resident Evil 4 for the first time since the Gamecube with the HD release, I have to agree. RE 4 feels better from a purely action sense, and since the game doesn't try to scare you, it has the opportunity to instead wow you with amazing setpieces that the first Dead Space doesn't have. I applaud the first DS for its atmosphere, elegant UI, and world building though. But Dead Space 2 has a pacing that is nearly perfect, and again, the issues that it deals with are impressive.

You and I will just have to agree that we won't see eye to eye on that. Since Final Fantasy IV, I have sought out games with strong story elements. While I have plenty of games that I play just for fun or addictive mechanics, the ones that stay with me, and the ones I talk about years later almost always have a strong story. It's the reason that Catherine and Dragon Age 2 made my top 5 games for 2011, even though the games in the bottom half of my top 10 are probably more impressive on technical and mechanical levels.

Rocksteady is rapidly becoming the company that I think of when I want a Western developer to take over a Japanese property. I also want them to do a Tenchu game, a series that holds a special place in my heart.