The RPG Thread

Thank’s folks! It’s just that I’d only heard about Steam maybe 3/4 months ago and just kinda wondered if I need a “Steam for dummys” or if there’s not that much to learn. Didn’t know if it’s some kind of big “game changer/life changer” or just more of a basic service or hub or what not.  So far I’ve only got a couple of  PC games, PoPersia, Elder Scrolls Oblivion Game of the year ed. So I’m very much a newbie here.

Another question, has anybody ever bought a PC game controller that (apparently) just wasn’t compatible with one’s games? In my case a logitech. Now I wonder if I should go for the Xbox 360-PC controller.

I can’t imagine there’s a controller out there that’s totally incompatible.  Even if it says “Requires Windows 7,” it’s typically a load of crap.  I’ve got a usb controller that looks like an Xbox pad with the analog stick positioning of a Playstation on that was allegedly only compatible with Windows.  Works perfectly fine with Arch linux without using their crap install CD.  I use it for when I play games on emulators so I can have a proper controller, rather than mucking about with my keyboard.  It’s seen much less use since I got my PS2 back from a friend and picked up an FC Twin.

It’s just a matter of getting your computer to acknowledge it as an input device.  Typically for Windows, this means installing the drivers.  For linux and BSDs it would involve configuring it as an X11 input device.  This often happens automagically, or in some cases you’ll need to modifying the relevant config files by hands.  Don’t know what the process would be for Macs, as I never touch the things.  Once your computer recognizes it as an input device, if you’ve got a game that provides custom control mapping, you should be able to select a control option in that menu, press the button you desire to be mapped to that particular button, and it should change the control to that option for you.  Repeat until all options are mapped, and you should be all set.  If you encounter issues with getting your computer to recognize it as an input device, often searching “Device Model foo and ${Your OS}” on google will lead you to people who’ve already solved the issue for you.

I really need to give my FC Twin some more use.  The guy who runs the local retro game store (seems to make most of its money as an internet cafe and selling new games, but it stocks all sorts of old games) recommended it to me since it does NES/SNES games.  He also told me Yobo was putting out a new model in the near future that would play those two consoles’ games, plus N64 games, which would be cool.  Looking on amazon, that one hasn’t materialized yet, but there appears to be a NES/SNES/Genesis system out by them, for anyone who would prefer using a real console with a proper controller, rather than playing ROMs.  I may well purchase a copy of Chrono Trigger this month, if I’ve got the money.  Those machines can be handy if you have a bunch of old games floating around, and your consoles either got sold off or don’t work.  Looking at their wiki page, some games seem to not work properly with them.  The SNES Dragon Warriors and Super Ghosts and Ghouls seem prominent on that list, along with Super Mario RPG.

Of course, for those of you with a Wii, you can do all this already, with your Virtual Console.  Which reminds me, I need to head over to my friend’s house and finish playing Beyond Oasis.

I got cheap and went for a 3rd party XBOX controller and I love it.  It’s great for Console -> PC ports, and it’s even better if you run any emulators at all.  If you have bluetooth on your system, you can also use a PS3 controller.  I like those better, but the only computer I have with Bluetooth is my mac, which is old and sucks eggs for most games.

Hmm I’ll have to read all that slowly and carefully… If I recall, I went through a calibration(if that’s the right term) process, also I think it was the kind of deal where it includes a mini rom disc, but for some reason it just didn’t work right- I think it worked for one of my games but not the other two. All I know off the top of my head here is that I’m on an hp dv7-4080us notebook with windows 7 and a intel i7 proc. I don’t know if it has any bluetooth function for sure, but I don’t think so. I should take a remedial PC class anyways- a lot of computer talk goes over my head. But my gut decision is to probably buy the usb xbox controller and take it from there, bummed I lost the receipt from the other one.

I’m hooked on Dark Souls these days ( PS3 ), it’s really really cool. More action and less talking… Really great game.

My new computer shipped almost a week early, and should be here on Friday! *nerdgasm*

If that thing won’t run Zork, nothing will.

I’ve got a Logitech controller that was recognized by Windows 7 without any problems whatsoever.  You may want to go to the Logitech web site and see if they have an updated driver for your controller.  That may very well solve your compatibility issues.

There probably is some kind of fix for it, that would save you from having to buy another one.

But the PC Xbox360 controller is brilliant. When I bought a new laptop I decided to give some games a go, and that’s perfect. It’s so much more comfortable than a keyboard, and it’s compatible with all games that accept controllers - it’s made by Microsoft for Windows so game designers make it with that controller in mind when they’re designing their games that why when you sometimes have top change it to ‘controller’ on the menu screen it has a picture of the Xbox controller. Just plug it in and go.

Thank’s guys! I’ll probably just take the plunge, I think I like the looks of the xbox one anyways.

Anybody going to buy a PS Vita?

I am WAY old school, the last RPG I played was Dungeons & Dragons, with books, dice & pencils and paper :slight_smile:

Been playing Skyrim lately on my 360, my favorite RPG yet. Always been a fan of all the Bethesda rpg’s. Being able to become a werewolf is a pretty fun addition from just only a vampire like oblivion. And not to mention, killing dragons heh

SnuffSniffer, I only played on paper once with some older friends, but maybe could have or still could get into it. But I’ve liked some on the PS1, PS2, PSP, Gameboy Advance etc.

Captain Snuff, I’ve got to get that on my PS3!

Ive been playing SIlent Hill Downpour, not an RPG but fun none the less. Next Ill be on the Silent Hill HD remastering of 2&3.

Is that on PC or a console?

though captain this time around the vampire option is hugely disapointing and annoying. You don’t feel very vampire like. My things regen slower and my stats suck more barely (and not noticably) wow at night I’ve got better stealth? Nope feels more like being a night person who just prefers the dark cause they feel better then.

I took a break from Skyrim for a bit, and have been playing Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition.  Great story, but I’ve had a hard time adjusting to the game mechanics.  Four characters just doesn’t seem enough to form a well-rounded party, and the approval-disapproval system for party members is confusing.  Yet despite the frustrations, it’s enjoyable enough to keep me coming back for more.

One RPG that I love is Etrian Odessey on the DS. It’s v v v old school, you have to draw your own maps and basically see if you can get to the bottom of the labyrinth. It is punishingly difficult and takes a lot of time to level up, but if you don’t mind grinding for literally days at a time, you’ll like it. You get out of this game what you put in, and when you have mapped a full level there is a real sense of achievement, a very niche market game but well worth it IMO.

Stefan

dragon age combat is great. It’s kind of hard to figure out at first. Once you get the swing of it and get higher levels it’s easy to make several balanced parties. It’s just a little trickier.

Stefan- I’ll have to look for that, I played the old FF games for the GBA, a handy thing to have…