Looking for GBA recommendations

[fairdenizen]

- Lastly I recommend kingdom hearts: chain of memories. Not a general recommendation, because the fighting system is slow and does not revolve around crowd control like the other games (only one person can attack or use magic at any given time), but it can be enjoyable if you like the battle system. The system revolves about playing cards in order to use attacks or magic. They can be blocked with higher numbers, which can lead to frustrations if your stronger attacks are low numbered. Other general gripes are about world navigation, which can be slow due to using separate cards to progress and overall weak story.

Ever since I played the PS2 remake of this game, I've been thoroughly convinced that it has not only the best fighting system in KoH universe, but possibly the best fighting system of any RPG, ever.

[Gideon Zhi]

Ever since I played the PS2 remake of this game, I've been thoroughly convinced that it has not only the best fighting system in KoH universe, but possibly the best fighting system of any RPG, ever.

I always ended up running out of cards, especially in longer battles or boss fights, since it seems cards can only be refreshed a certain number of times per battle. What was I doing wrong?

[Garoth Moulinoski]

Ever since I played the PS2 remake of this game, I've been thoroughly convinced that it has not only the best fighting system in KoH universe, but possibly the best fighting system of any RPG, ever.

I respect your opinion, but I disagree. I mean, it wasn't bad and it had its uses, but it isn't the best battle system out there.

But then again, I can't give any examples of battle systems I think are the best. I like Dragon Quest, which contains a battle system that's so simple, people joke about it. I like the earlier Final Fantasy games; the first three contain Dragon Quest-esque battle system, but the next six contains variations of the ATB which was inherently slower than the system from before. I dislike that.

Then again, I'm the guy who likes RPGs for exploration and story (even if my choice of story is shallow and diabetes-inducing). I guess I like Zelda for this reason which I still think falls under the adventure category, but if Miyamoto says it's an RPG, then fine, whatever. *shrug*

tl;dr: I'm impatient and don't like to wait or play slow. Durr.

[SargeSmash]

I tanked out on Chain of Memories because, much like Gid, I had some serious problems with card management.  I'd always run out of cards, and I don't know if this is just because I didn't grind for more, or what.  (I do have the PS2 version, I wonder if it has been rebalanced a little in that version?)

[DankPanties]

I'm the guy who likes RPGs for exploration and story

Then why weren't you interested in Skies Of Arcadia you silly guy?  This game offers both in spades.  The Pyramid dungeon I did last night reminded me a lot of Zelda too.

[SargeSmash]

Then why weren't you interested in Skies Of Arcadia you silly guy?  This game offers both in spades.  The Pyramid dungeon I did last night reminded me a lot of Zelda too.

That's the vibe I got from the game, too, at several points.  Glad to know I'm not alone in that! 

[granz]

I played some of the original Legendary Starfy on GBA, (just the first title) then I made it half-way through the one that was actually localized on the DS. It's an okay series, but it feels too monotonous. After completing a few stages, there's no motivation to keep pressing on, and the story doesn't conclude by the time I've already seen all the game has to offer. There's not enough diversity in any area of the game. I liked the bonus option of dressing up Starfy in ridiculous outfits in the DS version, but that's about all that could hold my attention.

Let's see... Someone recommended Baldur's Gate. I have it, and actually have a level 40 (max) Elven Fighter save file. (second playthrough) Too bad there isn't more to do in that game.

Mega Man Zero - I never could get into Mega Man. I tried to play some of the classics, then X6 on PS1, then some of the Zero games. It seems like it would be right down my alley since since I like Metroid. I can't explain my disinterest. One of the games I played was simply too frustrating, though. I had to keep up with this whole ranking system, then something about collecting "Elfs." Being a perfectionist, it was just too difficult for me to achieve a perfect score on every stage and simultaneously keep track of any items or power-ups that could be permanently lost or missed. I like challenging games, but there's a distinction to be made between challenging and demanding.

On a similar note, I didn't like Sword of Mana for the same reason. Trying to collect everything is a complete nightmare. I don't plan to confine myself to a particular location of the game for 20 hours at a time just so I can go around harvesting thousands of enemies for my bestiary. (when you defeat 999 of an enemy, it's replaced by a superboss version of itself) What's more, there are very rare enemies that appear only at a rate of 1/256 or so. Trying to collect just one instance of that enemy for your bestiary can take hours. Because it's impossible to return to some areas after leaving them, that makes certain bestiary entries (and superboss enemies) permanently missable.

[Gideon Zhi]

Trying to collect everything is a complete nightmare. I don't plan to confine myself to a particular location of the game for 20 hours at a time just so I can go around harvesting thousands of enemies for my bestiary.

Never, EVER play Rogue Galaxy.

[granz]

I haven't heard of Rogue Galaxy. On another note though, I don't get all OCD about 100% completion when it comes to open-ended games like Oblivion. Knowing that there's simply too much to do, paired with the tendency for quests and story arcs to branch depending on player actions, it's hard to qualify total completion. Simply finishing the game with a really experienced character holding rare equipment is usually enough to satisfy me in those cases.

[ChronoMoogle]

I played some of the original Legendary Starfy on GBA, (just the first title) then I made it half-way through the one that was actually localized on the DS. It's an okay series, but it feels too monotonous. After completing a few stages, there's no motivation to keep pressing on, and the story doesn't conclude by the time I've already seen all the game has to offer.

The first GBA title (which is actually the best in the series in my opinion) REALLY starts after you completed all stages once. Its like pulling out the mastersword in Ocarina of Time.
The followups are all good games but I mainly completed them because I was a fanboy for the first title and their level design and lategame was a little bit toned down compared to the first game.

[Garoth Moulinoski]

Then why weren't you interested in Skies Of Arcadia you silly guy?  This game offers both in spades.  The Pyramid dungeon I did last night reminded me a lot of Zelda too.

What you've spoken about it does make it sound a little interesting (except for the encounter rate), but I remember looking at the art style and thinking "Oh, this is another Tales of" thing. Also, at this point, if battles don't go by quickly, I will get bored of it (this does not mean I don't want it to be deep or thoughtful; I mean just fast). I guess I was a bit burned out on RPGs in general when it came out. Plus, it was for a console. I was barely at home long enough and on top of that, I was in that stage of my life where I was actually somewhat productive (versus now, where I'm all depressed and trying to get myself to do anything with my life that doesn't involve being a paid slave).

[DankPanties]

What you've spoken about it does make it sound a little interesting (except for the encounter rate)

So far the encounter rate hasn't been worse than any other typical JRPG I've played.  I don't know what the big hullabaloo was.  Then again, I'm playing the Legends version.  The battle speed is fine for me, though I wish some of the spell effects played out faster.  The ship battles can take quite a while but they are meant to be epic strategic fights so it fits.  Seriously though I do believe you would enjoy this game.

Actually I just checked and I can't recommend this game to you.  I say that because it's extraordinarily expensive to get a good copy.  Apparently my mint copy is worth about $70-100 right now.  I'm glad I bought all my Cube games back in 2007 when they were still reasonable.

[Garoth Moulinoski]

Eh, with what you said about the fights, I'm not sure I'd want to play it. At least not at this moment. Plus, I've got so many games I haven't even opened, like Catherine, Demon's Souls, The Last Story, Spider: Web of Shadows, and so many others...

And yeah, I wouldn't pay $70-$100 for a game I'm not sure I'll enjoy or ever play. But thank you for thinking about me!

[Merta]

I really liked Shining Soul II, pretty much a hack and slash game with different levels and everything but it became way too hard for me so I decided to put it down. Perhaps you'll like that game.

[SargeSmash]

I'm not seeing Skies go for that much on Ebay.  They're still relatively pricey, at $25-$40, but probably doable.  I actually picked up a copy a while back for a friend of mine for under $20, so I'm glad I got on that.  I suspect the value will continue to rise.

EDIT:  Unless, of course, you're talking a sealed copy.  $70-$100 is about right on that.

[Jorpho]

I was going to bring up Chain of Memories, but then I thought it was a little too obvious.  It's a lot like a prototype version of The World Ends With You, I think (and TWEWY is one of the greatest things evar).

I have been hoping to get my hands on The Pinball of the Dead for the longest time, but I should probably just give up.  I hear it is quite excellent, assuming you care for pinball at all.

[DankPanties]

Unless, of course, you're talking a sealed copy.  $70-$100 is about right on that.

I was talking about a 100% complete and 100% mint condition copy, which is what mine is.  I was checking Half.com and Amazon, actually.  I didn't check eBay.  But I didn't check eBay because that place is made of liars lately.

Look at the Like New prices here:

http://product.half.ebay.com/Skies-of-Arcadia-Legends-Nintendo-GameCube-2003/10285&tg=info

And the Used - Like New prices here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00007KUUD/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

I was not exaggerating homeboy!

[relminator]

Mega Man Zero - I never could get into Mega Man. I tried to play some of the classics, then X6 on PS1, then some of the Zero games. It seems like it would be right down my alley since since I like Metroid. I can't explain my disinterest. One of the games I played was simply too frustrating, though. I had to keep up with this whole ranking system, then something about collecting "Elfs." Being a perfectionist, it was just too difficult for me to achieve a perfect score on every stage and simultaneously keep track of any items or power-ups that could be permanently lost or missed. I like challenging games, but there's a distinction to be made between challenging and demanding.

On a similar note, I didn't like Sword of Mana for the same reason. Trying to collect everything is a complete nightmare. I don't plan to confine myself to a particular location of the game for 20 hours at a time just so I can go around harvesting thousands of enemies for my bestiary. (when you defeat 999 of an enemy, it's replaced by a superboss version of itself) What's more, there are very rare enemies that appear only at a rate of 1/256 or so. Trying to collect just one instance of that enemy for your bestiary can take hours. Because it's impossible to return to some areas after leaving them, that makes certain bestiary entries (and superboss enemies) permanently missable.

X6 and X5 are crap MMX games.  X4 on the other hand is awesome(and that's an understatement).  I like MMZ on the GBA too and dislike Sword of Mana. Well I never enjoyed any Mana games post Seiken Densetsu 3(The Neil Corlett translated one).  Even the DS and the PS2's Mana games sucked bigtime.

[granz]

Seiken Densetsu is hit-or-miss. I liked FF Adventure for the original GameBoy, but Sword of Mana deviates from it substantially. I can understand Square wanting to bring the game more in line with elements from the rest of the series, but I don't personally like the conversion.

On the other hand, there's a mobile remake that looks great. Too bad it never made it to the U.S.

[fairdenizen]

I always ended up running out of cards, especially in longer battles or boss fights, since it seems cards can only be refreshed a certain number of times per battle. What was I doing wrong?

When you level up, I think there's 3 differnt things you can put your points into. Isn't one of those the amount of cards you can have in the deck, and the other strength? I sort of ignored HP in favor of the others.