Notso

Hi all,

I really want to play this game. The way stories develop in this game sound amazing. Anyway, it'd be really great if I could play with my brother cooperatively. How does the multiplayer work? Could we have 2 different races in the same universe that form an alliance? What would the multiplayer have to offer?

I haven't played much of these games (other than a little civ); so, any info would be helpful.

@michaelfinnie: You might be right. Academy was a super fun game even without mods (admittedly I've never played it with mods). I really should go get that on steam and replay it.

One of my favorite Ryan Davis GB videos: world-exclusive-madden-nfl-09-launch-blast-release

My prayers go out to Ryan's wife, family, friends, and Giantbomb coworkers. May they find the strength to get through this hard time. I wish I could offer more than my condolences, but I do offer those and my prayers.

My Vita should arrive today or tomorrow. I hope I like it as much as most of you seem to. While eagerly anticipating actually playing it, I'd make these notes as to why I think I will really like it as Unilad does.

• You can get hardly used Vita's on ebay for a fair price. So, if the barrier to entry is that initial $250-$300, I suggest looking on ebay. That's what I did. Sony doesn't get your money, but if you're ok with that, then its a good option. I just couldn't justify $250 right now; so, that was my only option.
  
  • Otherwise, if you really want Sony to get your money in the hopes that your dollars will help get Sony and/or outside devs to support it more, the $100 off the PS Vita Instant Game Collection Bundle looks like pretty good value.
    
• I actually switched from the 3DS. The problem with the 3DS is it really just has Nintendo games and that's it pretty much. So, if you are into Zelda and Mario, it'd probably be great, but I have played enough of those games and find them a little tired. Just not my thing. So, I looked over at the Vita and liked what it had to offer better. Even now with its limited selection, it has more to interest me than the equally small 3DS collection. Especially since a number of the 3DS games are just ports of old games (like Star Fox and Splinter Cell for example).
• I am really excited to have access to the PS1 and PSP games. Most of those games I haven't played before (unlike Nintendo; I've played many of the Nintendo games), and there is good variety (as opposed to there just being a bunch of platformers and RPGs). So, that should be pretty sweet.
• I am excited to have a hand-held system that has 2 nice analog sticks on it from the start instead of having to snap on a extra attachment that only some games support.
• I really don't mean to bash Nintendo and the 3DS. It is a good system that I enjoyed, and I see why some people like it. I guess what it comes down to is just "hey, there are reasons I'm selling my 3DS and going to Vita"
• The games on systems like the Vita and 3DS are much different than on a mobile device like a phone or tablet. The controls make for much different game-play. I know that you can get racers and shooters on mobile games, but the touch controls are too inexact for me. So, while many are happy with phone/tablet games, for me, they cannot substitute for the games one gets on a handheld like the Vita or 3DS.
• Reviews on sites like Giant Bomb and IGN tend to be pickier than I am. So, I expect to really be happy with my Vita. The games out there may not have a bunch of 5 star or 9+ reviews, but I often find I really enjoy games that get 3 stars or 8s on these review sites, and there are plenty of those games on Vita.

I am very happy with this compensation that Nintendo is offering for 3DS early adopters. I assumed there was some risk (in terms of a price drop of a new version of the hardware) when I bought the 3DS; so, it is great that I get some free games as reward for that risk. Moreover, they are giving away a lot of games and some quality ones too.

The input on this topic has been interesting to read. Even if this thread doesn't end up influencing my decision, it at least has been a good discussion.

It seems there is a running theme of "wait until the next version". I have thought of that, and that is a very compelling argument. After all, I do think the DS lite was a significant upgrade over the launch-day DS. Even still, I having that itchy trigger finger... the Street Fighter game looks really fun... the improved graphics look like what I wished the DS was... but there aren't really any other games right now other than maybe Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars... and a later version might handle the graphics load even better... AARRRAAAHHHHHH!!!! It is like I'm being pulled apart! ;-)  I still think I'm gona get it. Anyone else? Does anyone else feel I shouldn't get it? Can you convince me not to get it?

Thanks, dargonaut. I was just learning at the time (and still am) so I stuck with XML while just figuring this stuff out.