Community MetaSteam | May 2020 - We May Or May Not Be Around In June!

[Knurek]

I've been playing a lot of FF12 the past few days and the more I do the more I ask myself one question:

What did S-E do with the people that wrote this? And why?

Seriously, most dialogue in this game is amazingly written, compared to pretty much every single other JRPG out there.
And I'm not just saying that because it uses some florid language (though that's also nice, when used in moderation and where itmakes sense, which this game does). I'm saying it because it does things like have different manners of speech consistently reflect in-universe cultural differences and class divides, while also (additionally) introducing unique traits for some of the major characters. And that's not all, the basic flow of the dialogues is also vastly better than anything they've done before or since.

Of course, all that is topped off by the best English VA in any JRPG. But I feel like with VA subsequent high-budget localizations at least came close. In terms of writing? Nope.

Well, they hired Alexander O. Smith for a bunch of other games (FFT: WoTL and TO: LUCT), and he's still in the business, translated 428 last year.
(And yeah, I'm pretty positive it's another Trails in the Sky situation, where the original script is dry and all the lovely flavor is added during the localization process).
Oh yeah, and Square drove Matsuno beyond the brink of mental breakdown and removed him from the project afterwards - good thing they at least gave him some credit afterwards.

 

[Durante]

I really think that it can't be only a matter of localization. The overall dialogue flow, and the world building of course, is basically set in stone by the original version. Of course, the amazing quality of the final (English) product wouldn't be possible without the fantastic localization.

 

[Stone Ocean]

Yeah, it's totes not a Trails in the Sky sequel.
Also, yeah, it's notes not required for playing CS3 onwards.

I was already regretting not playing the Crossbell games by the end of CS2 but CS3 ch 1 really solidifed it lol

Oh well, at least CS3 does an okay job of assuming you havent played Zero and Ao so I'll just keep going like a dumbass.

 

[Tizoc]

Mega Man X6 Tweaks

The "Mega Man X6 Tweaks Project" is a compilation of QoL hacks, gameplay improvements and

www.romhacking.net

Pretty worthwhile hack of X6.

 

[texhnolyze]

I've been playing a lot of FF12 the past few days and the more I do the more I ask myself one question:

What did S-E do with the people that wrote this? And why?

Seriously, most dialogue in this game is amazingly written, compared to pretty much every single other JRPG out there.
And I'm not just saying that because it uses some florid language (though that's also nice, when used in moderation and where itmakes sense, which this game does). I'm saying it because it does things like have different manners of speech consistently reflect in-universe cultural differences and class divides, while also (additionally) introducing unique traits for some of the major characters. And that's not all, the basic flow of the dialogues is also vastly better than anything they've done before or since.

Of course, all that is topped off by the best English VA in any JRPG. But I feel like with VA subsequent high-budget localizations at least came close. In terms of writing? Nope.

Yup. I've also been playing the game for the past couple weeks and wondering the same. What happened to this quality FF writing?

I get the VA parts, but when it comes to writing and localization, this easily tops most, if not all, JRPGs in existence it's not even funny. Like, they actually have the talent to do so, why stopped with FFXII?

 

[Hektor]

Oh yeah, and Square drove Matsuno beyond the brink of mental breakdown and removed him from the project afterwards - good thing they at least gave him some credit afterwards.

Their relationship is seemingly getting better tho, Matsuno has made Raids and Questlines for FFXIV utilizing his concepts for FFXII and Vagrant Story sequels

That said

That's also the only thing he has done since FFXII

 

[Tizoc]

I've been playing a lot of FF12 the past few days and the more I do the more I ask myself one question:

What did S-E do with the people that wrote this? And why?

Seriously, most dialogue in this game is amazingly written, compared to pretty much every single other JRPG out there.
And I'm not just saying that because it uses some florid language (though that's also nice, when used in moderation and where itmakes sense, which this game does). I'm saying it because it does things like have different manners of speech consistently reflect in-universe cultural differences and class divides, while also (additionally) introducing unique traits for some of the major characters. And that's not all, the basic flow of the dialogues is also vastly better than anything they've done before or since.

Of course, all that is topped off by the best English VA in any JRPG. But I feel like with VA subsequent high-budget localizations at least came close. In terms of writing? Nope.

As Knurek posted, it was all thanks to Smith. FF12's localization is brilliant and really adds to the world and characters.
What is odd though is that Baltheir is in his 20s, when he would've been fine were he stated to be in his 30s.

 

[Deku]

Mega Man X6 Tweaks

The "Mega Man X6 Tweaks Project" is a compilation of QoL hacks, gameplay improvements and

www.romhacking.net

Pretty worthwhile hack of X6.

I assume those are ROM hacks, and won't work on the legacy collection?

 

[Tizoc]

I assume those are ROM hacks, and won't work on the legacy collection?

If you can extract the ISO from the collection you can try the hack with it.

 

[Knurek]

Their relationship is seemingly getting better tho, Matsuno has made Raids and Questlines for FFXIV utilizing his concepts for FFXII and Vagrant Story sequels

That said

That's also the only thing he has done since FFXII

Umm, Crimson Shroud says hi.
And also Unsung Story

 

[bobnowhere]

I really need a new controller.

The Xbox 360 controller that I use has numerous problems, and I was just trying to play a shmup, and I needed to make small movements, and the analogue stick would get stuck and either it wouldn't stop moving, or it would take me to one end of the screen.
As time goes by, it's getting harder and harder to play some games.

It's the 3rd or 4th Xbox 360 controller that I went through, and they all had numerous problems after some time: sticks getting stuck, or moving by itself, triggers failing and not working, (...).

But, the 360 controller has some convenience to me, because I like the shape, and they are detected by pretty much every game on Steam.
I was trying to find a new one, but it seems they are getting hard to find.

What would be a good, cheap, alternative to it?
A controller with rumble, that is also detectable by every game, ... ?

I really don't want to pay 50€ for a controller.

I bought an Xbox One controller specifically for my PC. You should be able to get a new one for under your price range and maybe a 2nd hand one for far cheaper. Same compatibility as a 360 one and can be universally used outside of steam easily. I use mine with a cable to save on batteries, the only issue is the usb port is quite frankly a bit shit. The one that came with my Xbox one s no longer grabs the cable properly and the new one is already starting to get a bit touchy.

 

[Dragon1893]

I've been playing a lot of FF12 the past few days and the more I do the more I ask myself one question:

What did S-E do with the people that wrote this? And why?

Seriously, most dialogue in this game is amazingly written, compared to pretty much every single other JRPG out there.
And I'm not just saying that because it uses some florid language (though that's also nice, when used in moderation and where itmakes sense, which this game does). I'm saying it because it does things like have different manners of speech consistently reflect in-universe cultural differences and class divides, while also (additionally) introducing unique traits for some of the major characters. And that's not all, the basic flow of the dialogues is also vastly better than anything they've done before or since.

Of course, all that is topped off by the best English VA in any JRPG. But I feel like with VA subsequent high-budget localizations at least came close. In terms of writing? Nope.

Yeah, I feel you. Going from this to XIII sure was... something.
Alexander O. Smith is a fucking legend.

I was already regretting not playing the Crossbell games by the end of CS2 but CS3 ch 1 really solidifed it lol

Oh well, at least CS3 does an okay job of assuming you havent played Zero and Ao so I'll just keep going like a dumbass.

Stop now and play the Crossbell games.

 

[Li Kao]

I've been playing a lot of FF12 the past few days and the more I do the more I ask myself one question:

What did S-E do with the people that wrote this? And why?

Eh, I'm of two minds about FF12. It's certainly well written, characters have meat, there are a lot of layers in the behavior of important npc. Even a little too much at times where I was really lost in seeing where it all was going (or I'm just dumb).
...
But then there's the final boss and every subtlety, world building and motivation went down the toilet. I don't recall exactly but it was JRPG final boss 101 that wants moar power.

It felt sad. Unfinished.
But eh, I suppose it's a testament to the delirious ambitions of the project.

 

[Le Pertti]

I really need a new controller.

The Xbox 360 controller that I use has numerous problems, and I was just trying to play a shmup, and I needed to make small movements, and the analogue stick would get stuck and either it wouldn't stop moving, or it would take me to one end of the screen.
As time goes by, it's getting harder and harder to play some games.

It's the 3rd or 4th Xbox 360 controller that I went through, and they all had numerous problems after some time: sticks getting stuck, or moving by itself, triggers failing and not working, (...).

But, the 360 controller has some convenience to me, because I like the shape, and they are detected by pretty much every game on Steam.
I was trying to find a new one, but it seems they are getting hard to find.

What would be a good, cheap, alternative to it?
A controller with rumble, that is also detectable by every game, ... ?

I really don't want to pay 50€ for a controller.

Try to find an Xbox one controller in sale, I often see them go for 39€. While I love my steam controller I often still go for the Xbox one .

 

[lashman]

 

[Stone Ocean]

Stop now and play the Crossbell games.

I'm very tempted at this point

 

[Li Kao]

Steam is shitting the bed when trying to use paypal on my end. I hope it' temporary.

 

[Knurek]

I'm very tempted at this point

They are way better than Cold Steel games are.
(Sorry Durante )

 

[lashman]

Steam is shitting the bed when trying to use paypal on my end. I hope it' temporary.

if not - you can always contact support

 

[Dragon1893]

They are way better than Cold Steel games are.
(Sorry Durante )

True but that's not the point. It's simply the wrong order to play them.

 

[fantomena]

Finished


Was fun, bot nothing special, nothing I haven't seen or done before in VR.

The "finish the game" and the cheevo for completing the game in under 5 hours were bugged, so I used SAM for them. Only use SAM these days for bugged cheevos.

The game actually gives you an option to use different "cheats" for your save file before starting the game, but warns you if you used any of them, cheevos are disabled, I made sure I didn't use any cheats, but seems like I must have done something that disabled the cheevos. Got one collectible cheevo, so I don't know what's going on,

 

[Stevey]

Steam is shitting the bed when trying to use paypal on my end. I hope it' temporary.

This happens too regulary with me lately.
Best advice, dont keep trying as it will take ages to sort itself out.

 

[Deleted member 113]

I bought an Xbox One controller specifically for my PC. You should be able to get a new one for under your price range and maybe a 2nd hand one for far cheaper. Same compatibility as a 360 one and can be universally used outside of steam easily. I use mine with a cable to save on batteries, the only issue is the usb port is quite frankly a bit shit. The one that came with my Xbox one s no longer grabs the cable properly and the new one is already starting to get a bit touchy.

Thank you for your feedback (you too, Monooboe and Deques).

I'm still using Windows 7 (yeah, I know, I know; I have to find the time, and patience, to buy a new external drive, backup everything, and update my OS; maybe in the summer).
With the Xbox 360 controller, I used a small Microsoft wireless receiver, which doesn't work with the Xbox One controllers.

Plus, I keep seeing Windows 10 requirements for the Xbox One pad that comes with a wireless USB "dongle", and the version with the USB cable as well.

I assume the version with the USB cable, despite what it says, works on Windows 7, right?
What about the one with the wireless "dongle", does it need Windows 10?

The reason why I haven't purchased an Xbox One pad, is that D-pad.
It seems a bit "odd". It doesn't have diagonals. I know the more expensive version has it, but I'm not paying 160€ for a controller.

Is the d-pad good/comfortable/responsive?

And, please tell me the analogue sticks don't start to get stuck, nor the triggers start failing, like the Xbox 360 pad.
Those pads break easily.

 

[Mivey]

True but that's not the point. It's simply the wrong order to play them.

Release Order is always the right order.

If Cold Steel "requires" you to forget lots of stuff from previous games for things to be interesting, then that's just a sign of them not being very good games. Ultimately, I play Trails for the NPC dialogue and fishing, so spoilers can hardly hurt the games too much.

 

[fantomena]

My Xbone X controller left stick started drting so Im using my Xbone controller now on PC and Xbone X. Still have 2 PS4 controllers (1 for PC, 1 for PS4), Steam controller and a Switch Pro controller.

Might pick up the Xbox One Series X controller when it's out and Steam supports it. My Switch Pro controller works, but it's the only controller I use with my Switch, do I don't use it on PC.

 

[Deku]

Thank you for your feedback (you too, Monooboe and Deques).

I'm still using Windows 7 (yeah, I know, I know; I have to find the time, and patience, to buy a new external drive, backup everything, and update my OS; maybe in the summer).
With the Xbox 360 controller, I used a small Microsoft wireless receiver, which doesn't work with the Xbox One controllers.

Plus, I keep seeing Windows 10 requirements for the Xbox One pad that comes with a wireless USB "dongle", and the version with the USB cable as well.

I assume the version with the USB cable, despite what it says, works on Windows 7, right?
What about the one with the wireless "dongle", does it need Windows 10?

The reason why I haven't purchased an Xbox One pad, is that D-pad.
It seems a bit "odd". It doesn't have diagonals. I know the more expensive version has it, but I'm not paying 160€ for a controller.

Is the d-pad good/comfortable/responsive?

And, please tell me the analogue sticks don't start to get stuck, nor the triggers start failing, like the Xbox 360 pad.
Those pads break easily.

I find that the D-Pad on Xbox One controller is really good. One of the best. although I haven't tried the D-Pad on Dualshock 4 and the Pro Controller for the Switch. It has a lot of clicky sound, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker.
If you have bluetooth on your computer, make sure that you buy the Xbox One S version, which should be the latest revision of the controller as it has support for bluetooth. So no need for the dongle receiver.

I have both the second revision and S revision of the Xbox One controller and nothing has fallen apart yet. Although the D-Pad on the second revision sometimes don't register, but I have to press harder to make sure it registers.

 

[Nabs]

The Dualshock 4 d-pad is pretty good.

 

[Arulan]

If we're talking D-Pads...

 

[Deku]

Trying to find the thread where you can show off your desktop, but I can't find it . Help me

 

[Stevey]

Trying to find the thread where you can show off your desktop, but I can't find it . Help me

|OT| - Where We Game 2020 - RGB Lights Optional

We have a thread for showing of out desktop wallpapers but not our actual desktops! So let's show of our gaming setups! I'll start with my horrible current setup. Sure it's better than I had before so it can only get better!

metacouncil.com

Also, on the topic of controllers, I've had this Xbox One pad for a while now, never let me down yet.

I use the wireless dongle on Win 10 as my USB cable got bent and fucked up.

 

[Dragon1893]

Release Order is always the right order.

If Cold Steel "requires" you to forget lots of stuff from previous games for things to be interesting, then that's just a sign of them not being very good games. Ultimately, I play Trails for the NPC dialogue and fishing, so spoilers can hardly hurt the games too much.

I'm not even going to waste my time with this, play them backwards with your feet if that's your thing.

 

[fantomena]

I should really get back to the game. It's a lot of fun.

Age of Empires 2 is quietly having an incredible year

There likely has never been a more vibrant community around this 21-year-old game.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Deleted member 113]

Has anyone played Blaster Master Zero recently, and was able to take screenshots?

I can open the Steam panel just fine, but the shortcut I set to take screenshots (ALT+F12) doesn't work with the game for some reason.
But. other people have posted screenshots, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

---

On a side note, once again, I can't recommend this game enough.
If you like the original series, games with a "false" 8-bit aesthetic, or metroidvanias in general, you really should give this game a go.
It's a lot of fun.

INTI CREATES managed with Mega Man 9 to tie my favourite game in the series, Mega Man 2.
And now, this re-imagining/reboot of the Blaster Master series easily trumps past entries, and is another high-point in their output.

I'm yet to play Blaster Master Zero 2 (will do so afterwards), but from what I'm seeing, and the reception it received, it appears to be even bigger, and better, than previous game, so I should be in for a treat.

I should really get back to the game. It's a lot of fun.

Age of Empires 2 is quietly having an incredible year

There likely has never been a more vibrant community around this 21-year-old game.

www.pcgamer.com

I keep installing and deleting the game, due to lack of space (with the HD texture pack, it's almost 40GB), but they keep having some periodic events, where you unlock mods and cheats by completing objectives, and I have been doing these without fail (a few days ago, I finished the current event).

It remains my favourite game in the genre.

 

[low-G]

Resuming my hard difficulty + gnome run in Half Life Alyx, I just noticed it looks like they got rid of the ability to make infinite saves per save slot! Now it's just 5 per slot. Already impacted me where I left my supplies bucket in an area where it is prohibitively difficult to recover, and that save was already too old and wiped!

Then I noticed each save was 10MB each, so my hundreds of saves probably at least saved some storage space...

 

[Li Kao]

I'm not even going to waste my time with this, play them backwards with your feet if that's your thing.

Could you please tone it down ? Thank you very much.

 

[Tizoc]

I'm just gonna wait til Crossbell series gets fan translated or localizaed before diving into post Trails in the Sky stuff at this point.

For that matter, ghragav remake/re-translation when?

 

[Knurek]

I'm just gonna wait til Crossbell series gets fan translated or localizaed before diving into post Trails in the Sky stuff at this point.
For that matter, ghragav remake/re-translation when?

They are though. Both Zero and Ao
Gagharv had a (crappy) remake back in the PSP days.

 

[Mivey]

I'm just gonna wait til Crossbell series gets fan translated or localizaed before diving into post Trails in the Sky stuff at this point.

For Zero, there's an excellent fan translation (with editing and amazing extra for the PC port!) from "Geofront" team, at this point, and you can get the Japanese PC game digitally for fairly cheap near 15$ iirc, as it's often on sale.

For Ao/Azure it's a bit more complicated. There's a rough translation at this point (not so rough as Zero's was, though), and it's probably enough to get to speed with things. I plan to play it as I don't want to wait for a NISA release which might even be worse than the current fan translation script-wise, for all I know. Given the complicated legal situation of the Ao/Azure PC version, there won't be a Geofront edit of it, unfortunately.

For that matter, ghragav remake/re-translation when?

Remakes would be quite interesting, not sure Falcom would ever have the time for that though, being a tiny team

 

[ZKenir]

eh I'll play zero and ao when NISA releases them and I can press a button on Steam to download them, don't really care if it'll play ToCS3/4 before that happens.

 

[lashman]

 

[Le Pertti]

Only took 20 years haha

 

[fantomena]

Thumper is such a better experience in VR than in flatscreen mode. The depth VR gives the game changes the game for me.

 

[beep boop]

Was also pleasantly surprised by FF12's writing and VA performances when I played it recently. So much better than the cartoonesque performances in many other games or JRPGs. It's a real shame the game's production was so troubled.

 

[Line]

I hope that Ao is better than Zero, because that was not very good at all.
Don't think I'll even bother with Cold Steel now, the series has gone from one my favorite JRPGs to a complete bore with awful characters (outside of Tio)... and more importantly, it has zero chapters of interest.
I think I'd even take a modern Atlus game over what they did to Trails. All the important things are not things that you play but just hear of in a random cut scene...

Heh, it's not unlike FFXII.

 

[lashman]

Only took 20 years haha

better late than never

 

[Mivey]

I hope that Ao is better than Zero, because that was not very good at all.
Don't think I'll even bother with Cold Steel now, the series has gone from one my favorite JRPGs to a complete bore with awful characters (outside of Tio)... and more importantly, it has zero chapters of interest.
I think I'd even take a modern Atlus game over what they did to Trails. All the important things are not things that you play but just hear of in a random cut scene...

Heh, it's not unlike FFXII.

So you didn't like both Zero and FFXII? Our tastes must be polar opposites.
Hmm, tell me what other JRPGs you really hated, my wishlist could use more excellent, near perfect games.

 

[Line]

So you didn't like both Zero and FFXII? Our tastes must be polar opposites.
Hmm, tell me what other JRPGs you really hated, my wishlist could use more excellent, near perfect games.

You're giving me so much power
I would put Xenoblade near FFXII! For the combat that don't require a player and is just spamming the same rotation for 80h while waiting for cooldowns. Riveting.
Very similar to both too, where cool stuff happens in cut scenes while you're jogging somewhere else.

But to go back to Zero, yeah, the characters are boring trash. Elie is just a Deux Ex machina to solve problems with her relationships, Randy does nothing (cause Lloyd is the real self insert, so the playboy has no game) but magically saves the groups when needed, and Lloyd... dude wants to be his brother, and it shows. May as well not exist. But he is needed to make his harem.
The mafia chapters are awful, the backtracking is out of this world... and ultimately, nothing interesting happens, except the poor crying cops that can't do what they can because politics and journalists are in the way.
I'll admit, it does feel very Japanese, if only all those pesky civies would just die we could end all the problems. Almost felt like one of those black trucks blaring propaganda.

Yeah. I pretty much hated everything about Zero, including the combat which is infinitely worse than in TitS, because now buffs are pointless.
It's rare for a game to be worse in every way.

 

[prudis]

what a blast from the past


spent like most of the IT classes on this back in the days

 

[low-G]

Thumper is such a better experience in VR than in flatscreen mode. The depth VR gives the game changes the game for me.

I had only played Thumper in VR until recently. I didn't really care for the game that much. Decided to see how it was flat... It was horrible...

Even though I don't care for it, VR makes it.

Has anyone played Blaster Master Zero recently, and was able to take screenshots?

I can open the Steam panel just fine, but the shortcut I set to take screenshots (ALT+F12) doesn't work with the game for some reason.
But. other people have posted screenshots, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

---

On a side note, once again, I can't recommend this game enough.
If you like the original series, games with a "false" 8-bit aesthetic, or metroidvanias in general, you really should give this game a go.
It's a lot of fun.

INTI CREATES managed with Mega Man 9 to tie my favourite game in the series, Mega Man 2.
And now, this re-imagining/reboot of the Blaster Master series easily trumps past entries, and is another high-point in their output.

I'm yet to play Blaster Master Zero 2 (will do so afterwards), but from what I'm seeing, and the reception it received, it appears to be even bigger, and better, than previous game, so I should be in for a treat.

Yeah I don't think you can take screenshots in either game judging from my own folders. I also think they're good, but Blaster Master Zero 2 really takes the cake (helps that it's all new content and it is good as Zero 1, if not better).

 

[lashman]

spent like most of the IT classes on this back in the days

who hasn't?