Halo vs Metroid Prime vs Unreal 2 vs whatever

[mtkafka]

So like I bought a Gamecube with that Best Buy deal and got Metroid free with it. This game rocks like a platform shooter could. Got an xbox last week too with Halo, the game rocks like it should be on pc. Didn't get Unreal 2. Is it any good? Looks like Unreal 2 is tgrying to be Halo/Metroid on pc? Is it? just a guess....

Personally I think Halo rocks (split screen coop!) overall more than Metroid but Metroid has some cool graphics and gameplay.

I'm a bit late in the console shooter scene. Though I'm starting to think xbox rocks now. But I'll get Splinter Ce;ll for pc this week because it looks better at higher resolution. I never thought playing with a gamepad would be any good for an fps. i guess I'm wrong.

I think Marvel vs Capcom 2 on the dreamcast is really good game. Don't need the PS2 version anymroe. Oh yeah and Super Mario Sunshine is almost like a 3rd person shooter with that water spray gun. Pretty cool.

etc

[Captain Cookiepants]

The best FPS for Gamecube is still TimeSplitters, Prime was okay, amazing graphics and effects with no loading time, but it has no replay value. I'm STILL playing TS whenever I need a quick fix, it's hard without being frustratingly so (except the damn robot factory). The story is no great shakes, just a flimsy excuse to kill things in different times, but it's still fun, not to mention the dozens of extra little goal things to play beside the main story. And multiplayer has tons and tons of options and bots.

[TomChick]

I can't believe I agree with a guy named Cookiepants, but, yes, Timesplitters 2 is the definitive console FPS.

Halo might be better at certain things, but TS2 is a better overall package.

-Tom

[Dave Long]

Unless you finished Metroid Prime at 100% the first time through, I'd say there's plenty of replay value, especially with the hard mode. It's also a different kind of game than Timesplitters 2. I haven't had a chance to play TS2 yet, but it certainly seems more like a PC FPS and I don't think Metroid Prime can be lumped in with those.

Metroid Prime was the best game I played in 2002. No question.

--Dave

[TomChick]

Metroid Prime was the best game I played in 2002. No question.

How do you spell a spit take? Is it 'pffffft', 'psshhhhhwwwt', or 'sphwaaat'?

:)

-Tom

[Jason McMaster]

I have to agree with Tom. I like Metroid Prime but it was far from my favorite.

I'm not defecting Dave! I love the Cube. DONT HIT ME

[wumpus]

I can't believe I agree with a guy named Cookiepants, but, yes, Timesplitters 2 is the definitive console FPS.

Halo might be better at certain things, but TS2 is a better overall package.

-Tom
Translation: Timesplitters 2 had skirmish with bots.

[Luke M]

TS2 is fun, but I still have mixed feelings about the game, even though I've already finished the sinlge player and played quite a few of the arcade/challenge missions. I just do not like the fact that I can't be accurate with the controls like I can with Goldeneye/Perfect Dark. I wish the controls had that slight auto lock on thing like Halo. TS2 really rocks in multiplayer, though. My friend and I have a blast doing coop or arcade with the bots. Oh well...

Jesus beats them all!!!!

[mtkafka]

So which version of Timesplitters 2 is the best? There's 3 of em? Hmmm....

etc

[mtkafka]

BTw that island insertion opening in Halo... map 3? damn! was cool. Felt like Aliens meets Starship Troopers!

So do any console shooters beat Half Life?

etc

[Captain Cookiepants]

Unless you finished Metroid Prime at 100% the first time through, I'd say there's plenty of replay value, especially with the hard mode. It's also a different kind of game than Timesplitters 2. I haven't had a chance to play TS2 yet, but it certainly seems more like a PC FPS and I don't think Metroid Prime can be lumped in with those.

Metroid Prime was the best game I played in 2002. No question.

--Dave
Right right; technically Metroid Prime is a first person adventure, not shooter, game. I really don't see the replay though since you can't beat the game them go back for the stuff you missed, just play through the one time and be extra thorough. It's an adventure game though: No enemy A.I., plenty of back tracking and aimless wandering, and little secrets to find. TS2 is more straightforward but a whole lot more unpredictable...in a good way.
And thanks Tom. I've been making too much sense lately though, back to the gibberish! Who likes pancakes??

[Jaysun]

I like pancakes on bunny rabbits heads.

[Drunkagain]

Unless you finished Metroid Prime at 100% the first time through, I'd say there's plenty of replay value...

Dave, no insult intended, but I think you guys that feel compelled to go back through the game just to get 100% have a sickness. :) You guys need help! I finished with 83%, and agree it was one of the best games of 2002, but I have absolutely no desire to go back through jsut to say I finished with a 100%. I can see myself playing it again someday, but because it was fun, not because i care if I get a 100%.

[Guido Jones]

Going back to the original Thread topic, which wasn't TS2 vs Metroid Prime....

Didn't get Unreal 2. Is it any good? Looks like Unreal 2 is tgrying to be Halo/Metroid on pc? Is it? just a guess....


Unreal 2 is...bad. I played it all the way through in about 7 - 8 hours on normal difficulty. The acting is bad, the writing is bad. The actual game play is sorta okay...sometimes. There are much much better FPS's made, and I think I actually had more fun playing Sin then Unreal 2. Unreal 2 is a deffinate pass unless A. you play every FPS just because you like to shoot things (like me) or B. you hate yourself

[Jim Preston]

Halo might be better at certain things, but TS2 is a better overall package.

-Tom

I will now mentally end all of Tom's posts with a little [sic] in my mind to remind myself everything he says is completely in error. :lol: Timesplitters 2 is a damn fine FPS but it -- or its "package" -- is not even in the same league as Halo.

Quote:
Metroid Prime was the best game I played in 2002. No question.


How do you spell a spit take? Is it 'pffffft', 'psshhhhhwwwt', or 'sphwaaat'?

:)

-Tom

I take back the [sic] thing as Tom is clearly right whenever he agrees with me. In this case, on the fact that Metroid Prime is not the best game of 2002. Unless games are measured by the sheer amount of backtracking and nuisance monsters. And even if that was the case, these forums and Met_K would be the game of the year.

[Gordon Berg]

Timesplitters -
Is the coop mode in Timesplitters for two players only (for the campaign mode that is, I realize you can do three or four players on one xbox against bots)?

U2-
So far, I'm bored with Unreal 2 and I've hardly played it. The only thing I've enjoyed up to this point is the fate of that whiny engineer in the beginning.

[Anonymous]

Unreal 2 is a deffinate pass unless A. you play every FPS just because you like to shoot things (like me) or B. you hate yourself

Heh.They should put this quote on the box!

[Robert Sharp]

Metroid Prime is an incredible game but anyone who starts playing it thinking it will be a FPS will be disappointed, I think. As a FPS it isn't very good. As platform/adventure game, it is incredible. You have to like exploration and puzzle-solving to like Metroid. They really didn't change the old Metroid formula much...they just made it 3D. Same basic play mechanics though.

I haven't played Halo (shame on me, yes), but from what I have heard it is the definitive console FPS. I tried the demo to Timesplitters 2 and it was ok, but it certainly didn't make me want to give up PC shooters (or even give it a chance over an average PC shooter). I'm not sure how people can play games like Battlefield 1942 or Medal of Honor (PC) and still want to play console versions of FPSs, to be honest..but that's probably a fault in me as much as anything. As soon as XBox prices come down or they bundle Halo in, I will get it though.

I'm not sure why Unreal 2 was included here. Maybe because it is presently getting some hype of some sort (even if negative)? I haven't played it and dont plan to at this point.

[Chris Nahr]

I'm not sure why Unreal 2 was included here. Maybe because it is presently getting some hype of some sort (even if negative)? I haven't played it and dont plan to at this point.

Well, it was supposed to be the definitive FPS in 2003... the new level of first-person shooters... the next standard... whatever. After all, Unreal is one of two giant FPS brands, the other being Quake. Nobody could reasonably expect the game to turn out as bad as it did.

This thread did make me order Timesplitters 2, though!

[TomChick]

Is the coop mode in Timesplitters for two players only (for the campaign mode that is, I realize you can do three or four players on one xbox against bots)?

Gordo, the co-op single player campaign is limited to two players. However, as you note, there's plenty of stuff for three and four players with all the different game types, including variations on deathmatches, capture the flag, assault, etc.

Note that there are no prop-driven planes, so Timesplitters 2 might be difficult for you to comprehend.

-Tom

[Gordon Berg]

Is the coop mode in Timesplitters for two players only (for the campaign mode that is, I realize you can do three or four players on one xbox against bots)?

Gordo, the co-op single player campaign is limited to two players. However, as you note, there's plenty of stuff for three and four players with all the different game types, including variations on deathmatches, capture the flag, assault, etc.

Note that there are no prop-driven planes, so Timesplitters 2 might be difficult for you to comprehend.

You're right, I'm a bit confused. So you need a SAG card to understand Timesplitters 2, or are you saying the game relies upon MFDs?

[Gordon Cameron]

Jesus beats them all!!!!

I dunno, eternal salvation is pretty good, but no bot support? You'd think the omnipotent creator of the universe could manage that...

[Reeko]

This thread did make me order Timesplitters 2, though!

In the interest of equal time, here are a few warnings.

Grab some Dramamine before you play it. The hyperfast turning and tight corridors made me motion sick.

Acquiring a target is next to impossible because everyone in the game is running at about 90 mph.

Most of the "good" multiplayer content has to be unlocked by performing superhuman feats. You may not mind, but I HATE unlocking content.[/url]

[Jason Becker]

"After all, Unreal is one of two giant FPS brands, the other being Quake. Nobody could reasonably expect the game to turn out as bad as it did. "

I see them as standards from a technology standpoint with their engines than as games. I think most people would agree there have been many examples of better work from people who liscensed those engines than anything from the origional desingers(single player wise).

[sellthekids]

In the interest of equal time, here are a few warnings.

Grab some Dramamine before you play it. The hyperfast turning and tight corridors made me motion sick.

this was the issue that stopped me from playing it. the motion sickness was just too much...didn't even finish the first level on the Xbox.

[TomChick]

Acquiring a target is next to impossible because everyone in the game is running at about 90 mph.

Did you know there are three basic game speed settings? I seem to recall they were labeled in such a way that I thought at first they were difficulty settings.

I'm pretty comfortable with the middle one, but the slow one is a good way to teach people the game. It might also alleviate the motion sickness you're exeriencing.

Most of the "good" multiplayer content has to be unlocked by performing superhuman feats. You may not mind, but I HATE unlocking content.

Good point, Reeko, but I think you're overstating it a bit. It's pretty simple to unlock the additional game modes and levels. IIRC, all you get from completing those ridiculously difficult feats are new character models.

-Tom

[Desslock]

"After all, Unreal is one of two giant FPS brands, the other being Quake. Nobody could reasonably expect the game to turn out as bad as it did. "

I see them as standards from a technology standpoint with their engines than as games. I think most people would agree there have been many examples of better work from people who liscensed those engines than anything from the origional desingers(single player wise).

It also wasn't written by the developers of the franchise.

Out of curiosity, which game did people here like most, UT 2003 or Unreal 2? They were both kinda non-events, weren't they? At the very least, they certainly didn't overachieve.

[Gordon Cameron]

I haven't played Unreal 2, and based on the lackluster reception (and the fact my PC probably can't run it maxed without becoming a slideshow) I probably won't buy it anytime soon.

I was really impressed by UT2k3's graphics but I stopped playing it very quickly. I guess it just had a "been there, done that" feel about it. I don't play much multiplayer anyway, but I spent plenty of time botmatching with the original UT. Not so the new version.

[Luke M]

Jesus beats them all!!!!

I dunno, eternal salvation is pretty good, but no bot support? You'd think the omnipotent creator of the universe could manage that...

Bah. Who needs bot support when you get unlimited massively multiplayer FPS gaming...for free!! And streets of gold, mansions, etc.

[Gordon Cameron]

And streets of gold

I dunno, I doubt my tires would get good traction...

[Chris Nahr]

It also wasn't written by the developers of the franchise.

Well no, but it was using their latest technology and it was written by a company that had created the excellent Wheel of Time. My expectations were actually higher than if Epic had done it alone.

[Reeko]

Did you know there are three basic game speed settings? I seem to recall they were labeled in such a way that I thought at first they were difficulty settings.

I don't remember. I traded it in a few months ago.

IIRC, all you get from completing those ridiculously difficult feats are new character models.

IIRC, the arcade(?) mode worked as sort of a ladder system. Meaning that I couldn't just pick and choose which unlockable content I wanted, I had to beat the modes in the order the game determined. So, I would receive a silver trophy (whatever that means) and would get a message of some new character model, multiplayer map, or gametype being unlocked. I was often left wondering what I was missing out on by passing the phase with a bronze trophy instead of the gold. Unlockable multiplayer content is never acceptible to me. I paid for the game, I should be able to play it. All of it.

I did like some of the gametypes, especially the assault. But, getting airsick and frustrated at 2:45 am seemed like too high a price to pay.

[Mark Asher]

It also wasn't written by the developers of the franchise.

Well no, but it was using their latest technology and it was written by a company that had created the excellent Wheel of Time. My expectations were actually higher than if Epic had done it alone.

Yeah, I had no reason to doubt Legend. I've heard enough good things about some of the levels that I'll grab it eventually when it drops in price to under $20. I'm just not going to pay $40-50 for a 10-hour game.

[Luke M]

And streets of gold

I dunno, I doubt my tires would get good traction...

Traction is overrated. Just go driving in the freezing, slippery Mideast right now and see what I mean. You're not getting the full driving experience until you spend half of your driving time in the oncoming traffic lane.

[Gordon Cameron]

That's why I live in L.A. :D

I used to love snow, but now that I own a car I rather doubt I'd enjoy it so much.

[TomChick]

I was often left wondering what I was missing out on by passing the phase with a bronze trophy instead of the gold.

That's what I meant. The basic medals for the easier feats unlocked the really significant content like levels and game modes. Otherwise, you were just unlocking new character models.

Maybe it's because I'm playing more and more console games, but I find that I'm getting accustomed to unlockable content. In fact, I kind of enjoy it.

Supertanker calls it 'game tax', in that you have to pay for your content by playing even though you're already paid for it by buying the game. But as long as crucial content isn't kept out of my hands, I enjoy being rewarded with new stuff.

-Tom

[Dave Long]

I've always liked unlockable content. It's a carrot to keep you playing. When a game is really enjoyable, playing again and again to get more content just makes it that much more fun.

Super Smash Brothers Melee is a perfect example. It's fun when you've got the starting characters, but it just gets better and better as you unlock the extras. It also increases your skill level as you play. Sure, you could sit there in training mode all day to get better, but why not keep playing the fun parts of the game to get better while earning new stuff along the way?

The key is for the developers to smartly balance the starting content with the unlockable stuff. If you get next to nothing when you buy the game, sure, then you're paying the game tax. But if they give you a complete game and keep adding on (like SSBM), then it's totally worth it.

--Dave

[Creole Ned]

It also wasn't written by the developers of the franchise.

Well no, but it was using their latest technology and it was written by a company that had created the excellent Wheel of Time. My expectations were actually higher than if Epic had done it alone.
Did you play the Return to Na Pali add-on for the original Unreal? The narration in that was absolutely awful, both writing and performance-wise. That was a tipoff to me that Legend's involvement in U2 didn't guarantee a great game.

I wonder when the bar for FPS's will be raised again? Or am I just too jaded to appreciate the improvements we have seen?

[Jason Becker]

"That was a tipoff to me that Legend's involvement in U2 didn't guarantee a great game. "


I liked The Wheel of Time though so I a had higher hopes for this game.

[Chris Nahr]

Did you play the Return to Na Pali add-on for the original Unreal? The narration in that was absolutely awful, both writing and performance-wise. That was a tipoff to me that Legend's involvement in U2 didn't guarantee a great game.

No, I haven't played Return to Na Pali, and I wasn't even aware that it was made by Legend. Oh well.

Anyone knows how Unreal 2 fared at retail? It would be scary if this icon of mediocrity turned a profit while Wheel of Time rotted on the shelves...

I wonder when the bar for FPS's will be raised again? Or am I just too jaded to appreciate the improvements we have seen?

Well, Deus Ex 2 is coming up, and Thief 3 may be released next year. Not sure if that's what you mean by FPS, though. It does seem that basic shooters have stagnated since Half-Life.

[Creole Ned]

Yeah, I'm referring more to the basic shooters. I'm very much looking forward to Deus Ex 2, but I don't consider the original game to be in the same genre (subgenre?) as titles like Half-Life or Unreal. I know that when your basic premise is "shoot your way out from a first person perspective" you are already somewhat limited, but there's really been very little advancement in any games. NOLF and even Serious Sam were good just in the way they didn't take themselves seriously but other than those, there's what? Medal of Honor was okay, but very heavily scripted, JK2 was a level design catastrophe, Gore...Mortyr...eesh.

I enjoy both BF1942 and UT2003 but for a single player, story-driven FPS, HL is still hailed as the standard and it's going to be five years old in 2003.

[Jason Becker]

"but other than those, there's what? Medal of Honor was okay, but very heavily scripted, "


HL and its expansions had their fair share of scripting. That was actually one of the things people pointed out in liking about that game. The diffrent funny/cool scenes you run into during the game.

[Creole Ned]

I'm not opposed to scripted events, I just felt MoH relied too heavily on them and some went on too long. It actually had the opposite of the intended effect for me -- instead of making the game more immersive, it felt more artificial.

[Ergo]

That's why I live in L.A. :D

I used to love snow, but now that I own a car I rather doubt I'd enjoy it so much.
Well, when it rains an eighth of a inch in L.A. it's a lot like driving in the snow due to the inept drivers.

:D