[General Discussion] Pesky anticipation. Get outta my office.

My most anticipated game of all time would have to be Okami.

I don't even want to PLAY it because once it's over, it's over. It's the kind of game which only coes along with the select few of legendary games every 5 years. I first heard about the game in February 06, and it wasn't released until April in japanese.

I tried to play the japanese version, but the game's filled with so much text it was practically impossible to do so. I proceeded to put the japanese copy away and waited for the american release.

The american release was great. The box art was pretty good, although I was quite disappointed that the manual wasn't in full color. Nevertheless the game was still the same as the original and I practically fell in love with the feel of the game.

The only downside to Okami is that everyone compared it to Twilight Princess. Twilight Princess is riding in quite literally on hype, whereas if it were replaced with Okami it wouldn't have half as much attention due to the lack of 'Zelda' in the title.

I don't mind, though. Fools can go around missing out on Okami if they want but that's just them. It's a great game and I would definitely go ahead and purchase the game again if I somehow managed to lose my current version.

Another game which I was hyped for was Valkyrie Profile 2, but it just doesn't match up to the original VP. It's a prequel, and the graphics are amazing, but you can't judge it against the original title. I still plan on getting VP2, though, when I have some spare cash. Probably the limited edition version.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

My most anticipated games were Zelda OoT and Half Life 2. The wait was FAR too long for Half Life 2. That game was delayed for 2 years, no? It was worth the wait though.

I was in anticipation of Zelda OoT for quite some time as well, and it definitely delivered as well. I don't think I need to explain about this title.

Also, I didn't know everyone compared Okami to Twilight Princess. When I bought Okami at EB the girl working the desk compared it to Wind Waker, saying that Wind Waker was flawed and that Okami is what Wind Waker should have been. I don't agree with her one bit. I've played both games, and maybe some people don't like sailing, but I really loved it. Of course, IMO, Okami is a better game, if only because of the humor and some of it's interesting gamefplay features.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

My biggest anticipated game was Resident Evil 4. I ordered the game in October, and got it March the next year. I haven't looked back since. The game is perfect, IMO, in so many ways. I've never played a game through as many times, and have never loved it as much each time throught. I sorta had this feeling that the game would be on this level when i ordered it, and the anticipation almost killed me.

Probably my next biggest round of anticipation was for Disciples 2: Rise of the Elves. I was already hooked on Guardians of the Light when i first heard about it, and i literally counted down the days on the calander till RotE came out. Also wasn't disappointed.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Elixir

Another game which I was hyped for was Valkyrie Profile 2, but it just doesn't match up to the original VP. It's a prequel, and the graphics are amazing, but you can't judge it against the original title. I still plan on getting VP2, though, when I have some spare cash. Probably the limited edition version.

I thought you didn't like VP1 for PSX. You said you did get the Japanese/American versions for this, as well as the PSP, if I remember correctly. I'm not saying you hate that game, but you did say you didn't get into it.

And for the thread, it's without a doubt, Final Fantasy XII, even though I haven't touched that game for 1 and 1/2 weeks now. When you start making a list of everything you want to get done on October 31st, 2006 - like myself, you can take a hint that it's a bit of over-hyped anticipation.

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Originally Posted by Spatula

I thought you didn't like VP1 for PSX. You said you did get the Japanese/American versions for this, as well as the PSP, if I remember correctly. I'm not saying you hate that game, but you did say you didn't get into it.

Yeah what's your point.

Being a prequel I thought that it'd be something I could play before the first, but it doesn't really matter.

How ya doing, buddy?

At the moment the only games I could say I'm anticipating are non-existant, if that is fair usage of the word anticipating in this case. So they'd be imagined sequels like Shining Force IV, or a follow up to Panzer Dragoon Saga. Sad to say, I'm not looking forward to anything currently in any sort of pipeline.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever anticipated any game, the upcoming release of which was fact. No, wait, just after typing that I thought of one. The sequel to not just my own favourite game, but objectively the best game ever made, Deus Ex. Yeah, I'm anticipating a sequel for Deux Ex. Cause one hasn't been made yet. You heard me, one hasn't been made yet.

When I think about all of my favourite games, I didn't anticipate any of them, they just kind of came out of nowhere. Even those with a history, whether that be because a later installment of a series was my initiation to said series, therefore something I'd no reason to look forward to (Ocarina of Time), or if I'd simply not taken to a prior game in a big way, and so didn't expect the sequel to do much for me either (Half-Life 2).

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Hype for Halo 2 was so huge that it pulled me along for the ride. I actually went to a midnight release (they had candy!), but I think this board had mostly killed my enthusiasm by then. The game was such a "meh" experience, and I should have known that would be the case.

I guess Twin Snakes was another case. I assumed that they were going to update the environment to match the game style, but they just copied it all straight from Metal Gear Solid. I also assumed that Silicon Knights make the control scheme for suitable for a Game Cube controller, but they just tried to port it straight from the Dualshock. From a fan's point of view, they killed Metal Gear Solid.

FELIPE NO

Ocarina of Time was the first to get my juices going; "wow it looks like real grass!" I thought. Must be good then.

Then after becoming an arcade-whore I went bananas over the impending release of Tekken 5 (crazy-ass Korean betas and all). Thing is it was only out when I was on overseas holiday Searched all around in local arcades to no avail; thank god for the net!

And lastly, I'm sure anyone who knows me knows, Portrait of Ruin. Running up to the Japanese release/dump day, I was all over boards, newsgroups and even bloody mIRC! Gaming nirvana, there's no doubt about it once I finally got it from a friendly surfer who kindly uploaded it ASAP to sendspace. I'm guttered I can't get the anniversary package (ridiculous prices on EBay currently) but I'm still buying 2 copies of the American release; 1 for keeps and 1 for replaying. Yeah, I'll just make my way out of the office now...

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I can't really recall the last time I was really hyped up about a game... Maybe it was Okami... I was already aware of the visuals of the game and how amazing they looked and when I found out they were bumping the release date from May to October, I was pissed. I eventually reserved the game got it on release day, but the only thing I was mad about was that I never got my Buddah Board for it.

T.T

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Chaotic

I can't really recall the last time I was really hyped up about a game... Maybe it was Okami... I was already aware of the visuals of the game and how amazing they looked and when I found out they were bumping the release date from May to October, I was pissed. I eventually reserved the game got it on release day, but the only thing I was mad about was that I never got my Buddah Board for it.

T.T

You mean March to September, right?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

*When I get hyped, I get hyped for long time on couple big titles.


FF XII for me. I was really hyped (When I saw an article on EGM, which is at least 1.5 years.), even though I was never big fan of any game from SquareEnix. After a week, I realized 50 bucks went down the drain.

Another thing that I was hyped for was LoZ:TP. (Since when? since they showed the first trailer on E3 =P ) When I got it with my Wii, I swear my hands were shaking. Is it still shaking?

Yep.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I've been excited about plenty of games before, but not to the point where I was hesitant to play them. That seems kind of silly to me.

Among games that I was pretty excited about getting that I ended up actually liking were FFVII, Shadow Hearts and then Shadow Hearts 2, Xenosaga, Suiko 3, Mario Kart 64, and Gran Turismo 4 in recent years. None of these had me like beside myself in anticipation though. I guess the closest to that I've ever been was waiting for Mario 3.

Of course, there have been games that I anticipated that didn't turn out to be worth caring about, such as Kingdom Hearts, FFX, and Xenosaga II recently. Yeah those didn't turn out too well.

I like it better when games come in under the radar anyways. Lower expectations means it's harder to be disappointed I suppose. I mean try to talk to some of the nerds around here about a game and all they can talk about is how much it sucks and what all is wrong with it. You never hear about its good points from them. It didn't meet their assinine level of expectations so it can't possibly be enjoyed by any other human on earth. Riiiiight.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Elixir

You mean March to September, right?

Something like that... I can't really remember. Only thing that I can flashback to is that I wanted this game for my birthday, which was around May. So that's probably what's hitting me right now. <_<

How ya doing, buddy?

I'm currently extremely hyped for Rogue Galaxy. We just got a demo in for it a couple weeks ago, and I've played it...oh, 7 or 8 times. The game is absolutely fantastic--graphically, audibly, playability, everything is looking awesome.

A game I got really hyped for about a year ago was Dragon Quest 8. Almost did a backflip when a demo for it came in. Just as with Rogue Galaxy, I played the demo through a dozen times before the game came out, and there wasn't a second I regretted it. What a fantastic game.

Hm, let's see...well of course, Okami had me reeling to fanboy glory too. Finally, I truly unique and fantastic adventure game for the PS2, and one that rivals the most well-known adventure game who's been around for what, two decades now? That's right kiddies, the Legend of Zelda. And yeah, Okami borrows a lot from it, but it never butchers what it borrows. It takes what is known and expands upon it by another level. Okami is a game everyone should experience, and sadly so few will.

How ya doing, buddy?

I remember the thought of getting to play Star Ocean 3 was downright awesome...The promos and everything looked great. Then I waited and waited, listened to how buggy the Japanese version was, then it FINALLY came out. I must've put 8 hours on it over the past 2 years. Bah...That was a pretty big letdown.

I remember Chrono Cross was a huge deal, since there was about a year's wait for it and it being the sequel of CT and all. I'd rather not go there...

Worst period was waiting for Marvel vs Capcom 2 to come out. Every new gameplay video, every new character announcement, every screenshot...I was all over it for about 6 months before I chipped my Dreamcast and imported the thing. Back then, that was THE game to have on day one, even with half the cast locked (I had to get the all character save file from a friend).

Not a huge deal else I can remember even drooling over for more than 4-5 months at a time. At least not recently. There's stuff coming out I'm interested in, but rarely is the release schedule so devoid of content that I get into "OMFG CAN'T WAIT" mode.

FELIPE NO

I'm not so sure I'm anticipating it any longer since I pretty much gave up on the game years ago but I am still patiently waiting for Team Fortress 2. This game is what now, 10 years in the making? I remember being very psyched for this game early in its development. When I saw the fairly recent TF2 "cartoony" video showing the radically new look and direction the game has taken it revitalized my interest. So supposedly this game is to be packaged along with Episode 2. I can just see it now. A slip of paper will fall out of the game box telling us:

Due to unforeseen circumstances TF2 has been delayed. We are sorry for this inconvenience. We now expect the game to ship with Half Life 27 Episode 12 Part 3 Act 7 Scene 5.

>< !!

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Kolba

At the moment the only games I could say I'm anticipating are non-existant, if that is fair usage of the word anticipating in this case. So they'd be imagined sequels like Shining Force IV, or a follow up to Panzer Dragoon Saga. Sad to say, I'm not looking forward to anything currently in any sort of pipeline.

Shenmue III... yes, I'm one of those...

Hype got me BACK into gaming, after about a decade hiatus. I loved games as a kid, but my family was poor so I was 4 or 5 years behind on the NES and SNES, getting used systems from yard sales and 2 or 3 used games on each. After that I got into sports and music, so didn't really have time.

Into college, and I suddenly had time again. I saw an advertisement for Black and White, and the possibilities just blew me away (making the jump from SMB 3 to Black and White was a BIG deal for me...). I waited months for that game. Obviously, it fell a little short, but it got me into looking forward to Fable (Project Ego at the time) and other console gaming.

It's a cycle that sometimes plague me. I often like the ideas and possibilities of games rather than the actual product. Reading new game concepts really piques my imagination.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Elixir

I still plan on getting VP2, though, when I have some spare cash. Probably the limited edition version.

You mean the Japanese Artifact Boxset? Or is there any other limited edition around?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

One thing I was hyped for, but sadly was never delivered upon, was Beyond Good & Evil 2. It was never formally announced, but GOD the first game left off for a sequel, and Beyond Good & Evil is a game I've played through DOZENS of times, and love it each and every time.

Also I was REALLY hyped for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Ever since I found out you could scream "OBJECTION!" into the DS, I was sold. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed, same goes for Phoenix Wright 2.

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Originally Posted by Taco

One thing I was hyped for, but sadly was never delivered upon, was Beyond Good & Evil 2. It was never formally announced, but GOD the first game left off for a sequel, and Beyond Good & Evil is a game I've played through DOZENS of times, and love it each and every time.
.

Wait a minute, has Ancel come out and said that there won't be a sequel? If so, it's a travesty.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Dizzy

You mean the Japanese Artifact Boxset? Or is there any other limited edition around?

Yeah, the box set. It's pretty fucking rare these days. The price skyrocketted by $40 over ebay in the past month, so I'm not sure if I'll still be bothering to get it in the first place.

It's one of the nicer box sets available though.

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The game I antipcated the most was Ultima VII: The Black Gate, back when it came out in 1991-2 after considerable delay. I even bought my first computer (a $2500 486 - 33 Mhz with a 130 MB drive and 4 megs of ram) so that it'd arrive in time to play it when it came out. U7 was a leap beyond U6 in terms of graphics, world detail and size. It also took a somewhat darker tone, revealing a Brittania that had drifted from the 8 virtues, due in part to the influence of a cult. Back then, Origin still built worlds ... at least until the fiasco that was Ultima 9.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I get equally excited for each big-name game that comes out, most for the DS than anything else. FFIII was big, and so was Meteos. But the biggest one, and I'm not ashamed to say it, was Pokemon Ruby. And what a letdown that was.

FELIPE NO

CastleVania: Portrait of Ruin & Zelda: Twilight Princess.

I've been anticipating both since they were announced.

How ya doing, buddy?

There're two I games I can specifically remember wanting so badly that I drove people crazy talking about it.

Final Fantasy VII: This was when no once gave a shit about Final Fantasy. I kept singing the praises of the a game I never played to people who didn't even know what an RPG was. Once it's released, everyone I know has the game and is falling in love with Aeris. By that time, my enthusiasm had waned, however, because apparently it's impossible to keep secret the fact that Aeris dies on the first disc. I was too broke to afford the game, you see.

Capcom vs. SNK: I remember playing Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Real Bout Fatal Fury Special with my cousins, and we'd always talk about how cool it would be if Capcom characters and SNK characters could fight against each other in a game. We'd be sad of course, because such a thing would never happen. Then it did happen. I don't think I've ever anticipated a game as much as I did that one. I still love it, too, fixed ratio system and all.

Jam it back in, in the dark.