Aerodynamisch

Sep 22 2011, 02:57 AM

And I have to correct you Pete, Makoto Shinkai is not part of Studio Ghibli. His movies Voices on a Distant Star, 5 Centimeters Per Second, The Place Promised In Our Early Days are fantastic though.

kevinski

Sep 22 2011, 02:24 AM

I'll hafta check out RPGibberish for its Castlevania episode. I love Castlevania.

Speaking of Castlevania, I tend to be somewhat annoyed at the use of the term Metroidvania, but that's more so because it's misused so often. To me, a Metroidvania is a Castlevania game that borrows features from Metroid games, nothing more. The term is just thrown around to the extent that it no longer accurately portrays the style of game play that you should expect from the so-called Metroidvania.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet - This game is often referred to as a Metroidvania, but it doesn't play anything like a Castlevania or Metroid game. Sure, you're exploring and gaining new abilities, but this particular game would best be described as an adventure game. If you refer to a game as a Metroidvania, then I'm expecting it to contain a playable character who walks/runs around and attacks primarily with melee weapons. Even still, it should be a Castlevania game; non-Castlevania games with this game play style should be referred to as Metroidvania-style games.

Shadow Complex - This game is also often referred to as a Metroidvania, but it'd best be described as a Metroid-style game. Why? Because there's actually very little that'd qualify it as a Metroidvania-style game. You have a melee attack, but everything else points to Metroid.

Bear in mind that I'm not so much annoyed at the mere usage of the term Metroidvania; I'm annoyed at the misuse of the term. It's irritating to me when I hear or read someone raving about a so-called Metroidvania game, only for me to discover that it plays nothing like an actual Metroidvania game. You don't "immediately know what kind of game it is" if you hear someone calling a game a Metroidvania, because any game that involves collecting new tools or exploring areas seems to be deemed a Metroidvania nowadays.

Anyway, sorry for the rant of sorts. I just wanted to share my outlook on the whole Metroidvania thing.

PeteDorr

Sep 22 2011, 03:19 AM

I believe when most people refer to the term "MetroidVania" it boils down to the simplest terms of a 2D sidescroller with many branching paths, dead end rooms that often contain upgrades to advance exploration, and a map which is revealed over time as you explore. Its a lot easier to describe these style of 2D games simply as "Metroidvania" rather than have to try and explain it like I just did. Its refered to as Metroidvania because between SOTN and Super Metroid, they are the two most iconic games that shared similar map layouts and power up progression (gain a new power = gain access to new areas).
Just because a game contains no melee combat or actual platforming does not mean that the term is not helpful in conveying the games sense of layout and exploration aspects. Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a very straightforward and simplified take on this style of game. It blends a twin stick shooter with a kinda linear progression but the core concepts still remain the same.

Darro

Sep 22 2011, 07:49 AM

To kevinski, I assume you mean Eye of Judgment with your latest comment.

BKMcGlynn

Sep 22 2011, 04:01 PM

Truly loved all the RPG talk and the epic bit where Johnny and Greg were talking about Big Trouble in Little China one of my most fave movies ever.....I knew all those quotes you mentioned LOL...I can probably quote the whole thing too, seen it probably more then 50 times (in the VHS days). "Son of a bitch must pay!...LOL, love it!!

DoubleDungeon

Sep 22 2011, 11:05 PM

I just finished listening to this one, awesome as usual!

To RPGSwagman (or anyone else): Anyone can actually get more then 15 minute videos on Youtube. All you have to do is have them send you a confirmation to your email. The button to do that is on the upload page *see pic.* I just got it on my account I started this month.


Click on 'Increase your limit.'

They ask for cell phone number and send you a verification code. Once you enter the code you're all set!! Hope this helps everyone. To be honest, I thought everyone knew about this.