Good ol' Crraaaazy gameplay

[jamail77]

Let's go back to a simpler time. You know what I'm talking about. That time when we used to have simpler discussions. Discussions like "OH MY GOD! LOOK HOW AMAZING THIS GUY IS PULLING THAT OFF!

I know there are tons of videos of insane gameplay for this series of games...and the reboot many refuse to acknowledge and that many are better than this particular showcase. There's Youtubers michellegun201, UltimeSon, and I know at least one other one, but I can't remember their username. That is just scratching the surface. Still, this particular video got to me recently because I only just got Devil May Cry 3 a month or 2 ago and have a very specific goal in mind at the moment. I've been playing on Dante Must Die difficulty, arguably the hardest difficulty. My goal was that if I could not raise my B rank for Mission 4 the minimum I could do was get a triple S ranking on the boss fight. If you don't care about any of the details about why this guy's approach to this mission's boss impressed me so much, in other words you just care that it looks cool, I put all of those details in a quote block you can just skip past to get to the question meant to spur the discussion.

Spoiler: WHY THIS PERSON IS GODLY

My tactic was to use Nevan's Jam Session, which, for those who don't know looks like this

It's kind of hard to see in that image, but he's jamming on a magic guitar basically and that specific attack just summons a stream of bats to surround you and that purple vertical light you can see emanating. It's great for parrying longer range attacks back at enemies, especially when that boss shoots those purple electric balls. The problem is I was doing this on the ground and because of my bad positioning sometimes some of the parried attacks would miss. On top of that, I wasn't on the Gigapede when I could do much more damage and use it in conjunction with a Devil Trigger explosion. Basically you have a meter shown on your HUD as runes and you get more of them as you progress through the game when you find secrets though you can extend it even farther by purchasing as well. Activating devil trigger makes you a lot stronger and, in the case of one weapon, gives you unique moves while also slowly healing you. HOWEVER, you can hold the devil trigger activation button instead and let the energy gather up and just let yourself explode it all out at once with 3 runes leftover to attack in Devil Trigger mode regardless (these runes can't be used up by the explosion).

The video guy does it much more efficiently with just the right weapon, Agni and Rudra, and just the right "Crazy Combo". Plus, he does it while attacking the head. I didn't even think to consider that I might do much more damage there while successfully parrying attacks back at the boss! And, I've played through the entire campaign multiple times at this point.

What is an amazing gameplay SHOWCASE you've seen recently that is within the context of a specific game or games if you have multiple examples? EDIT: I have to clarify someone has to be doing something cool with the mechanics of the game via the character you play as since the first response I've gotten was just the game itself (not what I had in mind). It does not even have to be from a player; it can be from a gameplay trailer for all I care. So long as it is awesome, looks cool, or is hard to pull off. Any genre is allowed.

 

[Kingjackl]

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance springs to mind. It takes the acrobatic over-the-top fight mechanics of Devil May Cry and combines it with the absurdity of the Metal Gear series. Even without the QTE finishing moves, you still get to bisect an enemy neatly in two, slice him up into cole-slaw or anything in between. Once you get the hang of things, you can easily launch an enemy into the air with a sliding kick, cut through his centre body mass as he's flying over you in slow-motion, then rip out his spine before he's hit the ground. It's simple, but you still feel like a badass every time you pull it off. And this is without even mentioning the boss fights. Dear god, the boss fights. That final boss is something that will stay with anyone who's played it for a long time, for a number of reasons.

Sorry, I only recently played that game and I'm still in gush mode.

 

[jamail77]

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance springs to mind. [snip]

Sorry, I only recently played that game and I'm still in gush mode.

I can tell. That may be why you missed what I meant. I've edited my original post to be a bit more clear.

What is an amazing gameplay SHOWCASE you've seen recently that is within the context of a specific game or games if you have multiple examples? EDIT: I have to clarify someone has to be doing something cool with the mechanics of the game via the character you play as since the first response I've gotten was just the game itself (not what I had in mind). It does not even have to be from a player; it can be from a gameplay trailer for all I care. So long as it is awesome, looks cool, or is hard to pull off. Any genre is allowed.

I wasn't really looking for games that let you do crazy things in general though it obviously is going to be part of the discussion. I was looking for specific cool things done in these games like the video I linked. Don't get me wrong. That sounds badass: I've heard a lot of good things about that Metal Gear in this regard.

 

[Rayce Archer]

The man wants insane MGR gameplay, the man GETS insane MGR gameplay. Sorry if you are a woman ASSUMPTIONS.

Also flawlessly executed classic Ninja Gaiden lends itself to awesome gameplay vids, especially once you've played it yourself:

 

[jamail77]

The man wants insane MGR gameplay, the man GETS insane MGR gameplay. Sorry if you are a woman ASSUMPTIONS.

0_0

OK. That does look craaaazy. Still, the quick time like moments, appearance of simple controls, and classic, but still annoying, game trope of being told to use a game mechanic at the right moment kind of turns me off. I can't help wondering if Platinum is put on a pedestal they might not deserve, but until I play one of their games I can't say for sure.

Also flawlessly executed classic Ninja Gaiden lends itself to awesome gameplay vids, especially once you've played it yourself:

This looks...less impressive. I mean, I think people mis-classify these 2D, side scrolling platforming etc. games as hard when really it's all about whether you crack under the pressure of having to maintain well timed movements and memorizing gameplay quirks and the level design. It's not easy to put a ranking on how hard they are. Mind you, still looks crazy, but some people call that 1 of the hardest games of all time alongside the 3D console Ninja Gaiden Black or whatever it is called. This may be one of those things I can't appreciate as much without playing myself. I will allow it. It qualifies...barely.

Annnnd of course, one of my friends recently had to lessen my self esteem on my Devil May Cry prowess by linking me to these *silently weeps in a corner*

 

[Prime_Hunter_H01]

0_0

OK. That does look craaaazy. Still, the quick time like moments, appearance of simple controls, and classic, but still annoying, game trope of being told to use a game mechanic at the right moment kind of turns me off. I can't help wondering if Platinum is put on a pedestal they might not deserve, but until I play one of their games I can't say for sure.

While Platinum does use a lot of qte's they use them correctly as they are finishers or at least mile stones in fights you have to earn by actually being good. While on the surface it may seem highly simplistic, the blade mode is not a qte in itself and is probably the best example of a qte when it is an element of one. With normal enemies some are unarmored and if good you can one shot many enemies and even the armored ones are quick to take down with skill. With group fights there is always the potential of herding them in to a slaughter. And in Boss fights there is timing but unlike qtes of infamy the failing doesn't feel cheap because the entire game is learning to be quick but patient and staying calm enough to realize that the short window is enough time to act. And that deceptive nature in what is looks like as well as not having played the game shows how much skill was in that first boss as he used exactly what I described, he herded enemies to he could take them all out at the same time as well as the other skill in speedruns/crazy skill, an exploit that allowed him to damage the boss without actually destroying one of its parts allowing him to keep damaging it through that exploit.

Also I can tell you from experience going undamaged and getting an S rank in a combat encounter is really difficult if you dont know what you are doing as the game lives by its parry system, if you do good you avoid damage but if you time it perfectly you counter for even more damage and a possible chance at blade mode. The game really only hides its combo counter till an area is done.

OT: I have some that are personal.

One was an attempt to Defeat Sam in Metal Gear Rising with the fully downgraded boken, I got so close but I would not accept it unless it was a perfect run (No damage taken).

The other is any moment in Persona 4 or any SMT game with the press turn system and you can stun lock an encounter and force a turn one victory.

 

[Pink Gregory]

The man wants insane MGR gameplay, the man GETS insane MGR gameplay. Sorry if you are a woman ASSUMPTIONS.

0_0

OK. That does look craaaazy. Still, the quick time like moments, appearance of simple controls, and classic, but still annoying, game trope of being told to use a game mechanic at the right moment kind of turns me off. I can't help wondering if Platinum is put on a pedestal they might not deserve, but until I play one of their games I can't say for sure.

Some people believe so, possibly due to the rather fanatical fanbase that Platinum has acquired, but I certainly don't. I love Platinum. You might not, but MGR is probably your best bet. I'm not sure you'd call those blade mode events QTEs (when the symbol flashes onscreen) as such, to me - with how blade mode works in the game - just another opportunity to exploit a weakness. Not that much different to dodging, but *shrug* you might think differently. Only real parallel I can think of for DMC1 at least is Ninja Gaiden, altogether being a little slower and more deliberate. Maybe that's what you'd prefer. Why that makes us Platinum fans any less relevant I have no idea, some people have a chip on their shoulder, I guess.

To be fair, you're not going to get the best impression of a game from a speedrun. Have to admit I didn't like using the Masamune after I unlocked it, but that's just a preference.

Ultimately the former staff of Capcom that formed Clover that formed Platinum aren't going to be that far removed.

Also what's wrong with simple controls? I don't remember any character-action game of this ilk that had complicated controls.

 

[jamail77]

snip

While Platinum does use a lot of qte's they use them correctly as they are finishers or at least mile stones in fights you have to earn by actually being good.

While there is a time and a place for QTEs I don't see them being good as general finishers or mile stones you earn. A final attack should feel like something you did rather than just timing button presses to on screen prompts. That doesn't feel like you mastered the combat system, like you're going with the flow, noticing weaknesses and strategizing and what not. You're not really contributing to the fight. You're just following the leader really.

OT: I have some that are personal.

One was an attempt to Defeat Sam in Metal Gear Rising with the fully downgraded boken, I got so close but I would not accept it unless it was a perfect run (No damage taken).

The other is any moment in Persona 4 or any SMT game with the press turn system and you can stun lock an encounter and force a turn one victory.

OK, those are personal goals to do something awesome, but that isn't really what I was looking for. As I explained to Kingjackl I was asking about any crazy gameplay videos any of you have seen recently. To be fair, I understand the confusion considering I state a similar goal scenario in my original post and it takes up most of it. Seeing as how that is 2 moments of confusion now and I've already edited my post for clarity once I'll just let this derail into a general crazy gameplay discussion. That'll probably be a more fun discussion anyway.

snip

[snip]
I can't help wondering if Platinum is put on a pedestal they might not deserve, but until I play one of their games I can't say for sure.

Some people believe so, possibly due to the rather fanatical fanbase that Platinum has acquired, but I certainly don't. I love Platinum. You might not, but MGR is probably your best bet. I'm not sure you'd call those blade mode events QTEs (when the symbol flashes onscreen) as such, to me - with how blade mode works in the game - just another opportunity to exploit a weakness. Not that much different to dodging, but *shrug* you might think differently. Only real parallel I can think of for DMC1 at least is Ninja Gaiden, altogether being a little slower and more deliberate. Maybe that's what you'd prefer. Why that makes us Platinum fans any less relevant I have no idea, some people have a chip on their shoulder, I guess.

To be fair, you're not going to get the best impression of a game from a speedrun. Have to admit I didn't like using the Masamune after I unlocked it, but that's just a preference.

My point was I saw quick time like mechanics. You're right though: I didn't see too many pure QTEs in that video. Honestly, I can't judge Platinum for sure until I've played more of their games. I've only played Madworld (Earlier, I was wrong to say I haven't played any of their games. I forgot that they developed that). I do have a pretty good eye for whether I'll like a game or not if I see enough of it even if I haven't played it. Really, I'm right like 7 out of 10 times. I've tested this and played games I'd only seen videos of and didn't think I'd like and I often don't like them. In the case of Platinum it's not that I don't think I'd like them; it's just I feel like they're not as good as everyone makes them out to be.

Ultimately the former staff of Capcom that formed Clover that formed Platinum aren't going to be that far removed.

Yeah, I know their history. Frankly, better they're split from Capcom. All I hear is how terrible Capcom is, so it sounds like a win-win situation for the people over at Platinum.

Also what's wrong with simple controls? I don't remember any character-action game of this ilk that had complicated controls.

There's nothing wrong with simple controls. Heck, it's often necessary to make the controls simple in these sort of games. Buuuutttt, there is such a thing as too simple. When it comes to combat games, I have been CRAVING more complex control schemes, not for the sake of complexity (there is such a thing as too complex as well), but rather something that is the next step in making me feel like I'm initiating true combat. I want a control scheme that makes me feel like a martial artist with right form, flow, and timing. Often complex moves can be performed by comboing a few buttons and it gets derivative after a while with so many fighting games out there. I don't want motion controls to mimic martial artistry and solve this as I believe there is so much gimmickyness in that; I just want more thought to go into how combat gameplay is designed.

I'm surprised nobody has brought up any hugely different genres yet. Then again, I'd rather someone not try to convince me generic racing game 100 looks really awesome if you watch this one Youtuber play it.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Such snip, so reduce, wow

Well you definitely wouldn't like Bayonetta. It's only really the case for the boss battles (which...eh...as set pieces they're great, but I always preferred the regular combat, they're like the Mundus fight from DMC1), though; and aside from the one recurring rival fight, that's usually how they end. As set-pieces, they're awesome and engaging. For you, it's probably not what you're looking for. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bayonetta, I'm not about to say it's perfect. 8 for me, solid 7 for everyone else. I'm not about to hate something for what it is rather than what it is not.

It's only really those and the torture attacks (which are dependent on having a full magic meter) that factor into the combat. If there were more rival battles than giant monster boss battles, I'd be happier. I don't dislike it though.

They're better than most but they still are what they are. MGR is a little different, with blade mode and more rival style boss fights.

But what it sounds like you want is basically a character action game with the mechanics of a fighting game; all I can say to that it still won't be as satisfying when it comes to 'flow' as fighting against a human player - although maybe some sort of a situation in which an adversary switches between AI programs (defensive, offensive, risky but powerful attacks) would be possible, but bloody difficult to program - and it'd be equally difficult to reconcile full 3D control with that kind of complexity in mechanics - seeing as fighting games are ultimately limited in movement and thus able to harness it in the way that they do.

Not to say it couldn't happen though, but it'd probably be something a little different to what you're imagining.

As for Platinum Pedestals. Well. Hyperbolic praise of anything leaves a bad taste in anybody's mouth, but people clearly like it for a reason. Doesn't make them wrong. They could just be a little more reasonable.

Also who else is making character action games these days? Far as I'm aware, Platinum are praised for doing that, and managing to do a lot with a little, they're not exactly a big budget studio, never have been. That's why I like them anyway, apart from generally enjoying their games.

 

[jamail77]

Such snip, so reduce, wow

And here I thought I'd never see dogespeak on The Escapist.

But what it sounds like you want is basically a character action game with the mechanics of a fighting game; all I can say to that it still won't be as satisfying when it comes to 'flow' as fighting against a human player [snip]

Not to say it couldn't happen though, but it'd probably be something a little different to what you're imagining.

I'm actually not purposefully looking for that. I'm just stating a fighting game I'd like to see, but I don't go out looking for it; it doesn't have to be of that sub-genre either. There's a lot of fighting games out there and even the best have a bit of tiredness and derivative nature to them. I've never played DMC 1, so I can't comment on that.

Also, I find the term "character action" rather silly. I always preferred Yahtzee's term "spectacle fighter".

As for Platinum Pedestals. Well. Hyperbolic praise of anything leaves a bad taste in anybody's mouth, but people clearly like it for a reason. Doesn't make them wrong. They could just be a little more reasonable.

Also who else is making character action games these days? Far as I'm aware, Platinum are praised for doing that, and managing to do a lot with a little, they're not exactly a big budget studio, never have been. That's why I like them anyway, apart from generally enjoying their games.

Well, when I play their newest game The Legend of Korra, I'll let you know if my opinion has changed.

Honestly, I don't know who else is making spectacle fighters (Can we just agree to use that term instead?). I suppose they deserve praise for that much.

 

[Tanis]

Ahh, God Hand.

Those were the days.

I still love playing that game.
With its 'ball busta' and other 'O,u...Japan' stuff.
XD

 

[Bad Jim]

I've was speedrunning Hostile Waters a couple of months ago

Here's me attacking the mid-game boss during the cutscene.

Spoiler

 

[Rayce Archer]

MGR has both real QTEs and sections where you're forced to use Blade mode. QTEs happen when you damage an enemy critically (for instance disabling a leg on a Gecko); when you see them you mash the buttons for Raiden's command action (usually a grapple, depends on your sub-weapon) and he'll execute a scripted fatality. You don't HAVE to use these, but they eat up time while other enemies can't really hurt you. I guess you could also consider ending combos by ripping out enemies' power cells a QTE, although it's always the same button and it's really more of an optional, bonus end to the combo.

Blade mode is always available, although it does penalized damage until you get enemies below an HP threshold or meet other conditions, which vary by enemy but are sensible. Time slows down to let you make precise cuts, but you have to understand the context- in the middle of a massive group fight, pausing time, lining up your cut while the blade mode timer ticks down, and exactly severing a dude's left arm (this gets you bonuses*) is actually pretty harrying. In boss fights you are usually prompted to enter blade mode as your only means of passing certain attacks, but the same rule applies- I died to the final boss three times DURING THESE SEQUENCES just because by the time you get to them you're so on edge and stressed out they don't feel slow at all.

I would assume that once you've played for a while, you get over that.

And Ninja Gaiden really is as hard as they say, although it's less because of innate challenge and more because it's bullshit (you jump a pit and are attacked by a diving bird midway across, but when it dies, the tile it loads on is still at the edge of the mapper so it spawns again, that kind of thing. The actual ENGINE of classic Ninja Gaiden is a mess and most of the difficulty comes from really unfair enemy spawns resulting from that, which make playthroughs on anything but rote memorization almost impossible.

* The bonus is WIGS!

 

[SnakeTrousers]

Quick but very sweet. This guy makes games look like movies.

 

[The Wykydtron]

UMVC3 is the most crazy game in the world. Hang on let me find something i've had in my favourites for ages.


Skip to 8:00, they start by talking about tacos. The hype is real. Seriously I was in class when I first saw this and I was making hype sounds regardless.

"OH WHAT GENIUS!"

 

[jamail77]

Ahh, God Hand.

I looked up that game once after a lot of total mentions via various outlets such as Yahtzee's videos, game forums, general Internet comments, and what not. Don't remember much of what I saw though. Be right back while I refresh my memory...

Ah yes, that. I would not mind owning that. I like the emphasis on repeated blows like the repeated stomps or jabs at enemies' heads for example. Not technically impressive and a little bland in its environments, but it did release in the PS2 days on the PS2.

I've was speedrunning Hostile Waters a couple of months ago

Here's me attacking the mid-game boss during the cutscene.

Spoiler

That looks like one of those games I would have enjoyed more when I was younger. I get the feeling it hasn't aged well.

And Ninja Gaiden really is as hard as they say, although it's less because of innate challenge and more because it's bullshit (you jump a pit and are attacked by a diving bird midway across, but when it dies, the tile it loads on is still at the edge of the mapper so it spawns again, that kind of thing. The actual ENGINE of classic Ninja Gaiden is a mess and most of the difficulty comes from really unfair enemy spawns resulting from that, which make playthroughs on anything but rote memorization almost impossible.

And that's pretty much what I was trying to say: Thanks for summing up my beef better than I did, actually. True difficulty, to me, involves very strong offensive and defensive AI and challenging level design that can't be overcome by rote memorization and lots of practice alone, but also by strategy and timing and...well, really putting your all in to sum it up. Those 2D side-scrolling "REALLY, THIS IS HARD" platformers don't necessarily fit that criteria. They are difficult in that they are frustrating for reasons like you stated. I don't' consider that true difficulty. They are difficult in a sense, but not by my standards. It's more that they're annoying and people translate this as difficult for silly reasons. I always hate it when my finger slips or when I get too rash in my jumps or attacks while playing those sort of games.

Quick but very sweet. This guy makes games look like movies.

Impressive. Still, as I said in other replies, QTE-like (I know. They're not true QTEs) prompts like that turn me off.

UMVC3 is the most crazy game in the world. Hang on let me find something i've had in my favourites for ages.

Man, I was hoping for Player 1 to win. He was playing as Vergil and he's a badass. More importantly, he just looked like more of the underdog in the fight. He was doing well then kind of got slammed down. I've heard of the series before. Looks good, but also meh at the same time. I don't know: I just don't have enthusiasm for those one-on-one fighting games like I used to. Don't remember the last time I touched Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

 

[Bad Jim]

I've was speedrunning Hostile Waters a couple of months ago

Here's me attacking the mid-game boss during the cutscene.

Spoiler

That looks like one of those games I would have enjoyed more when I was younger. I get the feeling it hasn't aged well.

It's not the game it looks like in that clip. It's actually a strategy game. Look up some Let's Plays and you'll see.

Fanboy that I am, I must admit that the graphics have aged horribly. But there aren't really any games like it these days. It's not like the FPS genre where you can find dozens of clearly superior modern titles.

 

[Lifeinsteps]

I never get tired of watching this.

It gives me goosebumps every time.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

This is the craziest game play I can think of.


Oh wait, that...that wasn't the kind of crazy the OP was asking for. =(

 

[jamail77]

It's not the game it looks like in that clip. It's actually a strategy game. Look up some Let's Plays and you'll see.

Fanboy that I am, I must admit that the graphics have aged horribly. But there aren't really any games like it these days. It's not like the FPS genre where you can find dozens of clearly superior modern titles.

Checked it out more thoroughly. Admittedly, I just skipped around 1 short Let's Play, so maybe I didn't see enough of the game, but it doesn't change my opinion that much honestly. Looks interesting, but still hasn't aged well and not just the graphics. Sorry :/ I'll check it out when I can regardless

I never get tired of watching this.

It gives me goosebumps every time.

Daaaaamn. The way he blocked all those kicks. That definitely earns the title of "Craaaazy gameplay"

This is the craziest game play I can think of.


Oh wait, that...that wasn't the kind of crazy the OP was asking for. =(

No, but I skipped around and it was fun to watch
Makes me realize I really should try that series soon. I did get 3 of the games for free on Gog.com after all.