Topic: Universal (gaming) recommendations thread.

@KratosMD Ha!

I'd say @RogerRoger is probably more au fait with the Syphon Filter series. I played through the first and the second, but didn't hang on to them.

Enjoyed them both though, and they are well regarded.

10 and 15 are good prices for good PS1 games in good condition.

@KratosMD It's like you don't even care about the civilians!

How about Die Hard Trilogy? The Nakatomi Plaza level has far less annoying civilians!

@KALofKRYPTON ...you rang?

@KratosMD Civilians only show up in a handful of levels throughout the original PSone trilogy. It's fair if they put you off progressing completely, but if you can struggle through the levels in which they're present, there are some incredible experiences to be had. As somebody who grew up endlessly replaying the Bond games (in which it's an instant game over if you harm a civilian, under any circumstances, and it's not just a checkpoint restart, but a whole mission restart) I don't recall having any major problems with protecting civilians in Syphon Filter, but then it's been a while. I think they're less frequent in the two sequels, which are the games I've played the most of.

Generally speaking, however, I do remember having to restart many checkpoints or levels a good couple times before getting the hang of them, so I understand your frustrations. Insert your standard "it was a different time" comments here, and so forth.

In the very best moments, Syphon Filter can be the perfect lovechild of Metal Gear Solid's atmosphere and stealth, and James Bond's cheesy plots and overblown action, with a healthy dose of generic late 80s / early 90s Hollywood action movie elements, too. Like all games of that era, you have to learn how it wants to be played (you made similar comments about Tomb Raider II and learning to slow your impulses down a little in order to progress) but when you do, it really works.

Personally, I'd say Syphon Filter 2 is the best. I've been meaning to give the entire trilogy a replay for a while now, and your comments have bumped it up my to-do list, so thanks. The two PSP games, Dark Mirror and Logan's Shadow, are also excellent.

You can skip Omega Strain on PS2, though. Didn't get along with that game at all.

@KratosMD See?

@KratosMD They are masters of frustration in some places. I had particular difficulty with several levels featuring "sniper alleyways" (a familiar concept in shooter games) because of the relatively-poor draw distances of the PSone. Usually the game's pretty good at warning you, but once or twice I'd run forward and literally just fall to the ground, blood everywhere. Creeping forward and scoping around for the tell-tale headshot indicator became my go-to tactic.

You've definitely gotta be in the right mood, but I'd say they're worth it for when you are. I remember the atmosphere, tone, cheesy dialogue and plot more than anything; perhaps my love for those things has obscured some of the more frustrating gameplay moments, for which I apologise if you do end up getting them and hating them!

Just don't stand next to any more cars! That's the first rule of Syphon Filter!

@KALofKRYPTON ha, annoying civilian completely made me think of the Die Hard game too! Such a weird 3 in 1 game but good fun.

A following comment also reminded me of the awesomeness of the SOCOM series from the PS2 era. The first game was really tough, especially with the lack of any checkpoints but it felt so cool using the headset to lay an ambush or to get your team to kick open a door, throw in a flashbang, and then clear the room.

Admittedly, the latter was more likely to see them open the door, drop the flashbang and blind you, and allow the enemy to kill you but still...

@Thrillho The Socom games totally passed me by. I very briefly played a PSP one - but my only real experience of Zipper Interactive's games was M.A.G - which was great.

Makes me recall that I never really did give Unit 13 a fair shake... that could be my next Vita play.

@KALofKRYPTON If you do play Unit 13, let us know your thoughts, please. I was always semi-interested in that game and a decent write-up could push me into spending a rainy weekend with it.

@RogerRoger I played it on release, but really didn't take to it. I'd bought about half of the launch lineup but spent most of my time with Uncharted, WipEout and MotorStorm RC.

As I recall, it felt really hard. I don't have the cart anymore, but think it was on plus so should be able to download it.

@KALofKRYPTON Ah, fair enough; if it was tough, then I was probably right to skip it. Right around the time I finished Killzone Mercenary (which is awesome and highly recommended to anybody with a Vita) I went looking for similar experiences, but I'm probably better off sticking with that and Uncharted, both of which I've been wanting to replay for a while now.

@RogerRoger
It could be that I just never really gave it the time required. It was certainly more tactical than 'run & gun'.

I never actually finished Mercenary. I had a repeated glitch at the end of one of the levels in SP so stuck with multiplayer for the most part. It's another game I always mean to re-visit too.

@KALofKRYPTON I never even touched the multiplayer. Probably too late now, too, as I'm guessing the servers will be kinda empty.

What was the glitch? I never encountered any problems, was really impressed with how it ran.

@RogerRoger The multiplayer was excellent! Really satisfying and nicely featured.

The glitch was an end of (or mid, it's been ages) level cut-scene not triggering something.

@KALofKRYPTON Huh, weird.

Even though I'm not a multiplayer man myself, I kinda regret not trying it now.

@RogerRoger Honestly - I reckon there'd still be people playing.

I'm tempted to have a look.

How is the difficulty in Onimusha & Darksiders? For more action oriented games within recent memory I've beaten the main quests/stories in BotW, Fire Emblem Warriors, God of War (2018), Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, Okami HD, Shining Resonance Refrain, Yakuza Kiwami, and YS VIII, all on "Normal" for games with difficulty settings.

Think I'd be able to handle either of those two games, or are they more Dark Souls, Nioh, or Ninja Gaiden kinda difficulty, of which I'm not really into (especially curious about Onimusha in that regard)?

Asking for my Switch, BTW (doesn't seem to be much in the way of first party releases in between Boxboy, which I'm currently playing, and Mario Maker 2 at the end of June, so I figured I'd tackle a few of the 6th and 7th gen ports on the system in the meantime, especially since I haven't played most of them before).

Out of the games you’ve listed Darksiders is probably closest to God of War in terms of difficulty. @RR529

@Ryall, yeah, based on what I've heard people saying on NL (about Darksiders), that sounds about right. I'm more curious about the difficulty of Onimusha though, as I haven't heard much discussion about it.

I've been playing Code Veronica X myself on and off @KratosMD after playing REmake and it's tank controls like all the original games. I honestly don't have a problem with it at all (I think it adds to be honest that the controls aren't exactly perfect) but you might.

It's also a touch more action oriented then I remember as there's quite a number of bullets being thrown at me AND being used.

It IS kinda important as it carries on more or less directly from the end of Resident Evil 2

I also did reviews of Zero and REmake in the games you've beat a few pages back if you're interested. You can hit me up with any questions you have if ya like

Haven't played any Silent Hills though sadly!

Ahh I see!

There's more open areas @KratosMD in Code Veronica but there's more enemies too I'd say.

I wouldn't say Resi 2 (original) has that many wide spaces barring the beginning area when you're heading to the police station (I replayed it in March). I think 3 has more open spaces out the original 1-3.

Whereas In Code Veronica you're on a island which houses a private prison facility at the start and there's a decent amount of manvourability. There's corridors for sure but I don't think you'd be too overwhelmed?

Might be best to look at a playthrough on youtube for like the first half an hour or so, see what you think as again the tank controls never bothered me in the slightest but ya know it could be too claustrophobic and tight for your liking.

Sorry I can't be that much help but different strokes and all that!