PS2 rentals

[Xaroc]

I am going to swing by Blockbuster to rent a couple of games for the weekend and wondered what were some good rentals. Here are some I had in mind:

Jedi Starfighter
Burnout
Devil May Cry

I have: GT3, GTA3, BG:DA, SSX, SSX Tricky, Madden 2002, Smugglers Run 2, Zone of the Enders, and FFX.

-- Xaroc

[Matthew Gallant]

Two games for a weekend?

ICO and Rez.

[Anonymous]

What Matt said. Ico and Rez are possibly the two most artistic games I've ever played - and also two of the shortest.

[Scott A.]

If you're really needing to blow shit up, I'd suggest the new Medal of Honor over Rez, but definately give ICO a shot.

(btw - hello, everyone)

[Chris Floyd]

I just got a PS2 for my birthday and ICO was at the top of my list for games I wanted to play. I'm only a little ways into it (probably further than if feels, though, huh?), but... WOW. So elegant. Not a single interface element on-screen, just incredible environments and animations. Probably the most immersive game since (dare I say it?) Myst.

Rez is on my list as well, I think, although the reviews I've read still can't seem to describe it very well. Anyone here want to try explaining it?

And since I'm looking to get the most out of my PS2 now, any other game recommendations -- especially obscure games I might overlook?

[Anonymous]

GTA 3!!! Pick up a hooker and watch your... umm health grow ;)

[Erik]

"REZ"

It's a cross between Panzer Dragoon and a lava lamp.

[Dave Long]

Maximo Maximo and more Maximo: Ghosts to Glory!

After that, ICO, Rez, Devil May Cry, Medal of Honor: Frontline, Virtua Fighter 4, and Klonoa 2 are all great picks.

--Dave

[Xaroc]

Cool thanks for all of the suggestions. I should have probably said I wanted to play test them rather than try to finish them. However, ICO sounds like it would be a decent choice to try and finish over a weekend due to it's length.

-- Xaroc

[Chris Floyd]

Here's one I have to ask about... Anyone played Harvest Moon (for PS2)? I have to admit, it sounds... different.

[Jaysun]

Well, it's not a short game, but Metal Gear Solid 2 is quite a good game too, though it is probably worth waiting for the Substance version of it, which adds a whole bunch of new stuff.

[TomChick]

I'm sorry, but I can't get behind Jaysun on the Metal Gear Solid thing. That game just dissolved into a mush of inscrutable cutscenes, character intros, and scripted puzzle sequences. I was aghast at how quickly it fell apart after a promising opening of sneaking around on a cargo ship. Metal Gear Solid 2 is, to me, the Lost Highway of video gaming.

-Tom

[TomChick]

And so I'm not just a nay-sayer, I'd say good call on Jedi Starfighter. I hope I'm not betraying my new Fuck Star Wars mindset to say I really enjoyed the pace, graphics, and multiplayer options in Jedi Starfighter. Very nice job of squeezing a space combat game onto the PS2. It's not Rogue Leader, but what else is?

Ico is great, too. A nice blend of sweet and sinister, aesthetically impressive.

I'm curious to hear if anyone has anything to say about Chris' Harvest Moon question. I think it's not just a typical Japanese RPG, but I could be wrong.

-Tom

[Ben Sones]

I have to agree. The MGS games have never done much for me, though I know I'm in the minority on this one (and to be fair, I've only played a small portion of MGS2). They seem like a triumph of style over substance. The style is nice, and the gameplay that's there is good, but there isn't much of it.

For PS2 fare, ICO is a better bet.

[Brad Grenz]

Harvest Moon is a farming simulator/rpg. I think.

[Matthew Gallant]

Harvest Moon is a farming simulator/rpg. I think.

You also try and get your little farmer guy a girlfriend. It's different. I haven't played the PS2 version, but I imagine it's somewhat the same as the previous versions: farm-wise you just go around and clear areas of rocks and wood, till them, seed them, water them, and harvest them; you can also go to the town to get supplies and LOVE.

It's a cute concept, but what I've found in the other games is a dearth of humor and poor plot and dialogue.

[Tyjenks]

I think I will start a new topic on this as it prolly does not belong here. Sorry for the temporary idiocy!

[Dave Long]

I think it's not just a typical Japanese RPG, but I could be wrong. It's definitely not typical. As Matthew notes, you farm and strike up relationships with the people in town. The PS2 game has more of a RPG bent from what I've read because it has a "goal" (save the town from an encroaching theme park threatening to bulldoze it). For like $12 you can find the PSOne version Back To Nature if you want to pay low bux to see what's going on.

Did I mention Maximo? Have you guys played it?! Superb!

--Dave

[Anonymous]

Does it have besmirching of sheep?

[Dave Long]

So the question is... what did Xaroc rent and did he like it?!

--Dave

[Xaroc]

So the question is... what did Xaroc rent and did he like it?!

--Dave

I went with 2 of my originals. I got Jedi Starfighter, pretty nice game but got frustrated when I had to replay the 3rd or 4th mission several times. I also grabbed Burnout and it was pretty cool, the wrecks are awesome but it takes an act of god to unlock anything so I only got a little ways in. Still the wrecks and replays in that game rock. And the feel of flying through the streets and traffic at breakneck speed was fun. It really just needed some balancing. The whole only get 3 tries thing is bogus.

-- Xaroc

[Anonymous]

Alright, Mr. Long. Tell me why I should like Maximo. I have a chance to buy it pretty darn cheap and while normally that'd be enough.... frankly, I'm not necessarily sure it's a game for me. The reviews have been good, overall; it's got pirates, so that base is covered... But I'm one of those stodgy old PC gamers who originally strayed from console gaming in the NES days because of the harsh saving systems and the try-try-again tedium of games like Ghosts n Goblins and Castlevania.

So, Maximo looks nice. I like the style of the visuals and the setting. But am I going to be beating my head against the TV screen as I fall down that deep dark crevice for the fifteenth time. I really don't have time for that. (I still haven't finished *ICO*, and I've had it for two weeks. No, I'm not joking.)

[Tom Ohle]

I'd suggest Jak and Daxter for a fun, quick romp. And Silent Hill 2.

[Dave Long]

As a stodgy old PC gamer, you're probably not going to like the save system or the very hardcore arcade-like gameplay. It requires precision run/jump/attack mechanics and that's its greatest appeal to me. I haven't played a game like it in a long, long time other than revisiting old 16-bit or 8-bit classics.

So basically, I don't want to steer you down the wrong path. It's a great game, fantastic even, for people that enjoy a challenge, super tight controls and classic platforming.

Rent it first and see if you dig it... Even for a die hard PC gamer, I think it's worth doing that.

--Dave

[GMicek]

I am going to swing by Blockbuster to rent a couple of games for the weekend and wondered what were some good rentals. Here are some I had in mind:

Freek Style for the PS2 is a lot of fun. I went home early from work today so i could play it some more. Not sure how long the fun will last, it gets extremely difficult, but it's fun at the moment. I think I (or someone else) already mentioned it, but Mr. Mosquito is a lot of fun too.

Ok, gotta go, just got Eternal Darkness and i'm wetting my pants in anticipation.

[Chris Floyd]

I've been having a hard time finding Mr. Mosquito for rent or sale. As I understand it, it's distributed by a branch of Eidos, so this kinda surprises me.

Speaking of which, anyone else familiar with the other games from that Eidos branch? It's called... Fresh Games. The whole point was apparently to import quirky, innovative games from Japan for a (small) American audience. A great idea, but what else have they brought us but Mr. Mosquito?

Oh and, Dave: I'll be renting Maximo just to give it a try. We'll see if my dulled PC Gamer reflexes can keep up (too much Civ, you know). I've heard it's hard, so wish me luck. In other words: :?