Ges needs some DS suggestions

[Ges]

I've had my DS for about 2 years now. I have 5 games. I need to broaden my library drastically. Who has suggestions?

Here are some handy qualifiers:

I have:
Zelda: PH
Chrono Trigger
FFTA2
Contact
New Super Mario Bros.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

I will be getting:
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Zelda: Spirit Tracks
The other 2 DS Castlevanias

I can't get (yet):
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Looking for:
RPG's
Strat-RPG's
Platformers
Act./Adv.
Puzzle


Many thanks.

[Raph]

Dragon Quest IX

[Ges]

I've never played a DQ, although I have heard much about them.

Would I be right in saying that...structurally...it's Earthbound but not as wacky? Or rather, what can you tell me about it besides its basic battle system? Is the story good?

[Raph]

I still haven't played Earthbound, so perhaps someone else could draw up a comparison.

The DQ series of games, for the most part, adhere to tradition. A radical change in DQIX is it's multiplayer fuctionality. You get various titles for all sorts of things and you can set them to change in your multiplayer profile, as well as look at them in your battle record. The multiplayer profile comes with one set one based on your gender and how you want to sound (like an old man, a pompous ass, a nervous little boy, etc.), then you can slot in various other things like the place you come from (you can select from real world or input Dragon Quest places once you find them) and your title. Then there's a second field where you can write in your own introduction. The manual and the game both stress to be nice and not write bad things or cause stress to others. That's Dragon Quest!

The inventory is now split into an character-by-character item page which can only hold 8 (back down from from 12 in 8), a equipment page where you can hold lots of each type of the 8 types of equipment, the bag to put extra items and a list of important items. So the importance of bringing the right items into battle is there, but you can stash things like alchemy stuff or non-battle items in the bag. As well, it really helps you mix and match clothes. There are some clothes you can just buy and have the same kinds of benefits as another type, so it helps you customize things, like for instance, chosing to wear white gloves or not, between cloth pants and striped boxer shorts and so on. This affects your "Style" stat, which if high enough dazzles enemies in battles, making them stunned by your appearance, and might have other effects.

The symbol encounter system is handled really well and has eliminated my fears that it would've removed the game's classic difficulty and unpredictability. As much as you can avoid enemies now, sometimes they will materialize out of nowhere or when you turn around the corner you'll get surprised by an enemy that blends into their surroundings or is behind a pillar, so you get the feel of being surprised and bewildered by attacks you didn't expect from a random system. As well, based on your level and the enemies personality, they might just sit there, walk around, chase you, run away, charge in a straight line, jump all over the place and so on. I've had a lot of story-like experiences of running away from a Drakee, which drew the attention of a Laughing Bag and sent me flying straight into a Wandering Flame. Enemies tend to all disappear in the area after you've had one battle, so there's none of the getting-out-the-battle-and-here\'s-the-next-battle-because-that-guy-was-jus t-on-my-tail things.

The story is OK, but not as good as DQVIII, in my opinion. The DQ series tend to have more simplistic tales anyhow. The game is much slower paced than some people are probably used to, letting you explore without getting attacked for a while, then only getting attacked a little, then only by one enemy at a time with one or two party members, then gradually to two enemies at a time and so on and so forth. I love the gradual unpeeling feel of the story as it feels a lot like an epic novel unravelling. You really get the feeling of the game building up which can sometimes be lost in RPGs that focus on too much and go too fast, where you don't get a sense of place or presence. That's definitely not the case here.

[CoolOtaku]

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - absolutely fantastic game (this is coming from someone who really could not enjoy Order of Ecclesia, just btw)
Phantasy Star 0 - it's pretty fun if you have a friend to play with occasionally, but eventually it does start to feel like an endless MMO that just sucks up all of your time
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword - it's actually a lot more fun than I was expecting, but it's not all that long, so I wouldn't recommend shelling out big money for it
Disgaea DS - I can't recommend this one enough. If you played the original, then you might be better off skipping this one, but there are small yet vast improvements here that made the later levels far more enjoyable for me.
Trioncube - This is one of the most addicting puzzle games I have ever played, and the sense of humor in it is certainly among my favorites in video games. Highly recommended.
Electroplankton - if you can fine this one cheap (under $10), then it's probably worth it. It's a very simple game in which you make music using about 10 different "options" (no idea what to call them). It's cute, and it's fun, and it can be really relaxing at times when you're not looking for something with an end goal.

That's all I've got for now. Hopefully one of those will tickle your fancy.

[Sushi_b]

Hmm, There are a ton you can get Ges.

Have you played any of the Fire Emblem games? There is only one localized DS title at the moment and it's a remake of the first game on the Famicom. It's a pretty solid title and good intro to the series as I can tell. It's a nice strategy RPG that isn't too difficult as a whole but a fun and simple setup keeps it interesting.

If you are going to get Bowser's inside story, you might want to also get Mario and Luigi Partners in time. A really great blend of RPG with some platform elements and puzzles. It's kept the Mario RPG tradition alive and well.

There are also 2 Advance Wars games for the DS. Both offer some great strategy with tons of replay value and challenge. I've played through the main campaign and there were still a lot of extra stages to be played outside of that. If you want something that's a little less RPG but with depth, this is a great series for that.

I think of all the overlooked games on the DS, Dragon Quest Rocket Slime is one of my favorites. It's a bit hard to explain and since you haven't really been introduced to the DQ series (except for that great rundown by Raph) you might not find it as charming as other people. Yet, it offers something really odd and fun on the DS. It's one of the cheaper games to get now and worth looking into for a quirky and fun title.

The only other one I would really highly recommend is Hotel Dusk. It's a point and click style adventure game with mood and atmosphere pretty much unrivaled on the DS at this time. There isn't a lot to say about the game other then it has black and white comic book characters, good jazzy music and an interesting story that has you coming back again and again to find the answers. If you like this kind of game, it's one of the best DS adventure games. You could throw the Phoenix Wright series in there too.

Edit: Coolo is right about Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword. I bought that when it came out originally and it's a surprisingly good action game on the DS and uses the stylus. It seems like it wouldn't be possible but it really is better then you can imagine. Great mechanics and Ryu moves pretty smoothly on screen (a little bit of issues at times but mostly good).

[Raph]

I agree with sushi on Hotel Dusk. Very good interactive novel and you should be able to find it on the cheap. I bought my copy for $15 new.

[scorpion]

final fantasy 4 remake,metal slug 7,super robot taisen og saga: endless frontier, tetris ds. all great games that I think you might enjoy.

[Phakiel]

The one where you can pit God to fight against Cthulu.

[Ges]

Well thanks for the suggestions, everyone. You shall all see my selection soon. I just don't know what it is yet. My next purchase shall be a DS game, though.

[Raph]

That reminds me, I need to pick up a DS XL within the next 6 months. Having larger screens might prompt me to play more DS games.

[Raph]

Oh, and if anyone is interested in buying DQIX, Target is having it priced at $17 on Black Friday in a couple of weeks:

Target’s Black Friday ad leaked onto the Internet with two deals for RPG fans inside. The retailer plans on selling Final Fantasy XIII (both versions) and Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for just $17 a piece.

[Ges]

^looks like that's when I will be getting DQIX

As far as the game I chose...well it was going to be DQIX. But I need to wait a few weeks for that, so I went ahead and snatched up....Hotel Dusk.

Haven't played it yet, though. Although I will make sure to soon despite the console game deluge that's about to start.

[Ges]

Hey, CO, this is something I've always been wondering...but what version of Disgaea is the best? original PS2, PSP, or DS?

[CoolOtaku]

Well, I haven't played the PSP version, but I don't think it has prinny commentary (available after you beat the main story once) like the DS version does. It doesn't sound like it's that big of a deal, but it's absolutely hilarious and I loved having it. The PS2 version is definitely the weakest of the three since after it they just started tweaking and adding some really helpful options. I would recommend the DS version. It makes it a lot easier to power level after a certain point, it gives you the option to skip attack animations (immensely helpful for power leveling), and it gives you a good handful of extra characters to unlock, which is always fun. Of course, Disgaea 3 for PS3 is also fantastic :)

[Ges]

Is 2 considered a black sheep?

Speaking of Disgaea, the PSP Prinny game looks good. I hear they're releasing another, actually, but I'm not sure it's getting localized.

[CoolOtaku]

Honestly, never bothered to buy Disgaea 2. Partly because strategy RPG's intimidate me, but mostly because by the time it came out, my PS2 was so moody I never knew if it would be able to read a game (and there are those it just can't read). For fear of wasting my money on a game my PS2 couldn't play, I just didn't get it. I've heard that it's good, but it certainly does seem to be completely overshadowed by both its predecessor and successor.

Those PSP games that are all about the prinnies have always intrigued me. If I had a PSP, I might even buy it.

[Phakiel]

Disgaea 1 was a bit more fun than 2 but in no way 2 was a bad game, I greatly enjoyed what I could play of it before my ps2 died.

[Ges]

Anyone play any of the Professor Layton games?

[CoolOtaku]

I played a fair bit of the first one. Definitely a very entertaining game. If you like puzzles and often being wrong on your first try, give it a shot :p I was not particularly good at it, but I still enjoyed it :)

[Ges]

Got the first Layton for like 11 bucks off of ebay. Sweetness.

Add in that I also got Skies of Arcadia for a paltry 26 bucks and I am a happy bidder today.

:B

[CoolOtaku]

Hahaha, oh Ges.... does this mean you've beaten all those other games you've been trying to beat for so long now?

Of course not. That wouldn't be like you XD

[Ges]

I beat FFXIII, but that's about it. Demons is close.

[CoolOtaku]

Demon's Souls is next, of course, right? ;)

Layton takes a while to get through. It's not something you can really rush.

Also, Radiant Historia looks like it might be an interesting title. Too bad it's new and full-price :p

[Ges]

Yeah. Golden Sun is boring me right now. I mean srsly, the main quest is to get a feather to fix my hang glider? I hope something happens soon. I need some lighthouses.

So...GS is on hold and I've jumped into the meat of Disgaea. Lord knows that won't get finished any time soon.

Anywho, I'm roadtrippin' next week. 20 hr drives work wonders for your portable backlog. When you're not the one driving, of course.

My mission is to beat Demons and Valkyria by next week when I leave.

[LunarGriever]

Okami 2, or whatever the fuck it's called is coming out soon. And I've heard that Radiant Historia is very very good as well.

[CoolOtaku]

I think it's called Okamiden, Lunar. I couldn't even bring myself to start the last dungeon of Okami (or what looked like the last dungeon), so a miniaturized version certainly doesn't appeal to me too much. I had such high hopes for that game...

[LunarGriever]

Right, like I said Okami 2... or whatever =P

You couldn't bring yourself to start the last dungeon because you didn't want it to end, or because you didn't care for the game?

I have my doubts about Okami on the DS aswell, espcially when they tried to make it in 3D while then in the 2D style which was seen during the games credits. However, if the game has decent reviews, I'll probably pick it up in time.

[CoolOtaku]

Honestly it just felt like it started to drag after a certain point. For whatever reason, once I reached the last dungeon I just never got back to playing it.

[LunarGriever]

...... ............ .... ... Well you and I never agree, so why start now I guess?

Personally, I find that most games drag by the time I get to the end. I usually find myself wishing the experience had ended about 5 hours earlier. Though I don't remember Okami feeling MORE like that than usual.

[Ges]

Off topic...but Okami in MvC3 is a beast.

I have Okami myself, but I haven't given it more than a cursory couple of hours so far. I do like it, though.

[moogle]

I'm actually pretty surprised how good Okami-den looks, since it's not being made by Clover. I'm definitely planning on picking it up sooner or later, Okami has become one of my favorite all-time games.

[CoolOtaku]

Hahaha, Lunar, it's so true. We so rarely agree in our tastes, but it's pretty much always amusing :)

Somewhat randomly today, I ordered Radiant Historia on Amazon. Hope it doesn't suck! haha