Board 8 > Leonhart Presents: 50 Characters, 50 Games, 50 Moments - Part 3 [lists]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Well if there were other female Tae Kwon Do practitioners I would've mentioned them instead so as to not unbias you from the outset! It's a very pretty fighting style!

I suppose I could've mentioned Kim Kaphwan instead...

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

It's okay, I'll make it up to you in a minute.

--
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2369/mythbattlers.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/Sensui22/1248835958206.png

Uncharted 2 spoilers below

23. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – Locomotion




Many of the moments on this list are those that catapult a game from being really good to being awesome. This one is no exception. Up to this point, Uncharted 2 had been a lot of fun, non-stop action, some good banter and character interaction, among other things. I think it might be the most perfectly paced game ever. I know this may sound strange, but even with some of the big setpieces in the game up to this point, the game still lacked that big, “Holy crap that really just happened” moment…until this.

First of all, the graphics in this area are gorgeous, especially in the first part with all the plants and stuff everywhere. It’s kinda nice that you can enjoy the scenery in the beginning of this sequence since there’s not a lot happening yet, which leads me into my second point. This whole chain of events builds up to a climax gradually and, again, at a solid pace. At first, it’s just Nate kinda moving along the train with no bad guys in sight, and then they start slowly appearing. Then the helicopter shows up and now it’s chaos. You can kinda see how scripted Uncharted’s set pieces are in sequences like this if you just stand around and do nothing while the helicopter just kinda flies around waiting for you to activate the next set, but as long as you don’t do something like that (and why would you unless you’re one of those silly people who likes ruining your own personal enjoyment of something?), it doesn’t really break the immersion of the scene.

But the crap really hits the fan when you reach the end of the train and find Chloe. She’s none too happy to see Nate because she feels he betrayed her in favor of Elena, but he assures her he’s had her back all along. After a heated argument, Nate decides to leave her behind, only to get shot by Flynn as he turns back to get in the last word to Chloe. I gotta admit, I was pretty stunned when that happened. I certainly wasn’t expecting that. I wasn’t expecting him to die or anything, but it was a surprise nonetheless.

Finally, Drake hobbles off trying to escape, with Chloe trying to prevent Flynn from landing a killing blow. Then we see Nate slumped in the floor with his gun aimed at something. The camera cuts to show him preparing to shoot at a few gas tanks, and I’m thinking, “No way. He’s not actually going to…is he?” Then Drake says, “Here goes nothing,” and everything goes boom. The Uncharted games are excellent in their presentation of moments like this, where Nate pulls some crazy stunt only to survive by the skin of his teeth. I’m sure some people feel like it gets overdone to the point that it becomes less fantastical, but not for me. It was also a cool feeling to get to the next part and be like, “Oh hey, this was the prologue. I remember this part. So THIS is how we got to this point!” Great moment from a great game.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite Uncharted 2 moment?

--
"I couldn't stand a day without a past or future. I need to live each moment to keep fighting here and now."

From: Jeff Zero | #200

Well, she looks unique, at least. Among Japanese fighting game women, I can at least respect that.

not japanese

--
What are teacups?? ^_~
2/17/2011 - $5000 // $14,400

From Leonhart Just Now
I know this may sound strange, but even with some of the big setpieces in the game up to this point, the game still lacked that big, “Holy crap that really just happened” moment…until this.

Not at all. Game kinda numbed me to that stuff because there's so much of it going on. Though yeah, that scene was fairly cool. I probably couldn't name more than two or three scenes that really jumped at me in the game though. I guess, to answer your question... on favorite UC2 moment... when you're escaping Tenzin's village while it's getting attacked by tanks. Just a really fun action scene beginning to end and backed by the gameplay which is what I felt was the selling point of UC2 over its presentation.

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

Yeah, the stuff in the village was pretty great.

And while UC2 has a ton of action-packed sequences, including some crazy stuff in Borneo, I don't think it really wowed me until the train. That was a different level of intensity for me.

--
http://www.miscupload.com/upload/452457071929141623517416.gif

Man, hard to believe we're closing in on the Top 20 now! Things are gonna get really awesome soon!

--
http://i52.tinypic.com/2zfiu09.gif
http://i54.tinypic.com/10729w2.gif

From: KateWadman | #204
From: Jeff Zero | #200

Well, she looks unique, at least. Among Japanese fighting game women, I can at least respect that.

not japanese
I meant Japanese as in, "Japanese game company developed this game", not... Japanese characters. I can certainly see why you misinterpreted, though. Wasn't clear.

--
K | H | A | Q | Q | A | H | K
"we're about 50 years behind the rest of western society." -icon on B8

From: Jeff Zero | #208

I meant Japanese as in, "Japanese game company developed this game", not... Japanese characters. I can certainly see why you misinterpreted, though. Wasn't clear.

oh. yeah sure.

unfortunately they started really milking it

My fave line comes from my fave sequence in the game post the train crash/start of game
"That's my blood, that's a lot of my blood"

--
Letting people know Freedom Fighters is the best game no one knows about

22. Diddy Kong (Donkey Kong Country)
Quote: “After all we did to get them back last time? Donkey Kong would go crazy if he lost his bananas again!”


What, were you expecting some deep quote or something? It’s Diddy Kong, man! There’s nothing deep about my love for Diddy. He’s just a blast to play as in just about any game he appears in. He was always my character of choice in the first two Donkey Kong Country games. I preferred his quick and flashy style over DK’s lumbering, rolling self. I know Dixie’s helicopter spin was all kinds of broken in DKC2, but I still liked using Diddy whenever I could. I like the cartwheel move and blasting through a bunch of enemies at once with it. Good times. Diddy’s one of those guys I love primarily because I love the games he’s involved in and I love playing as him. It’s pretty simple.

Diddy’s also a lot of fun to use in Brawl. I’m generally a fan of quick characters who can play all in your face, so he’s fun for me. I know a lot of people think he’s really annoying because of the banana peels and stuff like that, but I enjoy playing as him. His rocket barrel things are pretty cool, too. And while I’m not as big of a fan of Diddy Kong Racing as some people, it was a pretty fun game. Always played as Diddy in that one, too. Didn’t really like any of the other guys.

So yeah, that’s about it. This is about as short and simple of a writeup as can be because there’s not a lot to elaborate on here. Diddy’s just a cool dude I like to play as a lot because he’s in great games and has fun moves. He also has a cool design, and he’s an even bigger hero than Yoshi, Link, or even Mario! The Hero Coins prove it!

Bonus Question: Who is your favorite Kong?

--
"Hold on a minute! That testimony stinks!"
"Witness! You can't just say 'Hello' and expect us to get anywhere! I want you to testify!"

I'll just default to Donkey since he just looks cool to me and DKCR portrayed him as a Chuck Norris type character.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

Whoo, another night getting off work early, and what good timing with the ME3 Extended Cut being released today!

Also, I have finally responded to the friends requests I've gotten on PSN over the last two months!

--
http://i.imgur.com/eqOQs.gif

xfd Diddy Kong

Uhhh I guess my favorite one is Donkey Kong but man none of them come close to a list like this

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

Don't mess with Diddy, son



--
Guess who I am!
http://gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs3/1345748_o.gif

Funky Kong best Kong

Bonus Question: Who is your favorite Kong?

... Cranky Kong is the original Donkey Kong, and DK Jr. is the DKC Donkey Kong, right?

Anyway, Toss up between the Donkey Kong in DKC, Diddy Kong, and Cranky Kong.

--
My Little Phineas and Ferb: Summer is Magic!
Aww, I lost to SuperNiceDog, Winner of the Rivalry Rumble Guru Contest

Cranky is the original Donkey Kong, yes, but Nintendo has kind of gone back and forth about whether DK is Jr. or not. Sometimes they say he's Cranky's son (which would make him DK Jr.) and sometimes he's called his grandson, so who knows.

But if he's not DK Jr., then that begs the question: What the heck happened to the guy?

--
http://www.miscupload.com/upload/452457071929141623517416.gif

In games where DK and Mario coexist, it's implied it's the same Donkey Kong from the original series anyway.

Smash Bros. calls them old rivals, and Mario does not look quite as old as Cranky.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

Well, monkeys don't live as long as humans.

--
"Stay with me until the end. Please."
"Not until the end. Always."

Kong, the Zen Buddhism concept.

--
K | H | A | Q | Q | A | H | K
"we're about 50 years behind the rest of western society." -icon on B8

Whoo ME3 Extended Cut

Good times

--
"I can set you free, mate."
"My freedom was forfeit long ago!"

Whew, been gone all day, so haven't had time for a writeup! I will try to get one out tonight.

--
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/8516/whatisdesiresig.gif

22. Kingdom Hearts II


I already talked at length in the original Kingdom Hearts writeup the reasons I like the series in general and how I got into it, so we’ll avoid being redundant here. I’m sure the main thing people who care about this series will want to know at this point is “Why Kingdom Hearts II over the original?” For one thing, I like the new flash and flair the second game added to the series. While I admit that combat in the first game is technically better and the game overall is more difficult, I did enjoy Reaction Commands for how fancy they were. I enjoyed the various Drive forms. They were cool and fun to use, albeit once again making an easy game even easier. Gotta love dual wielding keyblades. But I’m not a guy who plays games because they’re hard, so I’m okay with sacrificing a little difficulty for some additional flair, atmosphere, and presentation. Say what you will, but Kingdom Hearts II’s combat just looks all crazy and fun, and that works for me. I’m sure some people will vehemently disagree with me on this point, but that’s okay.

Second of all, Kingdom Hearts II’s story is better. I know some people don’t like that the series has gotten away from focusing on Disney worlds and whatever, but honestly, I could only handle so much of replaying through the plot of a Disney movie anyway, so adding some new original content to the series was cool. I also liked how you went through the worlds a second time doing extra stuff that was unrelated to what the Disney movie was originally about, usually involving Organization XIII. Speaking of, those dudes were cool. They might have been the best new addition to KHII (I know they were introduced in Chain of Memories first, but who’s keeping track?). I knew something good was about to happen whenever one of them showed up, and the boss fights against them were, for the most part (LOL Luxord), awesome. That was a group of villains that really delivered. The World That Never Was is also an amazing world. Love the setting and the overall “feel” of that place.

Also, Sora is a LOT better in KHII than he is in the original game. He’s grown up a bit, and although you still occasionally have silly, cringe-inducing moments (like Sora “tickling” Tron when he uses the keyboard in Radiant Garden), he was better. At least he wasn’t squabbling with Donald all the time. I’d still hesitate to call Sora anything more than a merely “good” character, but he’s a likable enough hero in KHII, at least. But you know who IS really good? Roxas. I know a lot of people dislike the opening sequence to the game, but I loved it because Roxas was really cool and somehow more likable and sympathetic than Sora despite the circumstances.

Even though Final Fantasy characters overall played a reduced role in Kingdom Hearts II compared to the original, what screen time they did have was better than in the first game. They still have great fights in the Coliseum (even if the Coliseum itself is worse than in the original game), and you also get to fight side by side with them briefly a few times, which was really awesome. And, of course, Squall still has the best role and is the most prominent FF character in the game, so that’s great, too. I’m sure there’s more I could say about the game, but that’s enough for now.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite Kingdom Hearts game?

--
http://i52.tinypic.com/2zfiu09.gif
http://i54.tinypic.com/10729w2.gif

Weird, that Wiki picture of the box art was not cooperating with my Text-to-Image.

--
http://i52.tinypic.com/2zfiu09.gif
http://i54.tinypic.com/10729w2.gif

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest spoilers below

22. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest – K. Rool Duel



No, it wasn’t planned for this moment to be at the same number as Diddy Kong! I put all these lists together separately without looking at the others in the process, so anything like this is pure coincidence! I’m also including the Lost World version of this boss fight in this because, for one thing, it’s my list and I can, and secondly, even though it’s not as good overall as the original, it’s still awesome because it’s like K. Rool is angry as can be and he’s throwing one last gasp effort at beating you with a nearly relentless barrage of attacks. The main issue with it is that you only have to hit him with the cannonball once to win, so the fight generally only lasts like a minute and a half if you can do it right, but of course, doing it right is the tricky part.

Anyway, I feel like this is a pretty underrated boss battle overall, and a pretty underrated boss battle theme! It seems like K. Rool Duel doesn’t ever seem to get brought up in any sort of discussion about last bosses, which is a shame, because it’s great. It’s basically a platforming challenge, as K. Rool shoots all sorts of cannonballs (and eventually weird skull things) at you in varying patterns, gradually getting more difficult as the boss fight progresses. Watching videos like this on YouTube where the guy does it (almost) perfectly make the boss fight seem less fun if you’re looking at it from an outsider perspective, but it’s very difficult to pull that off the first time you fight K. Rool, trust me! It’s possible to beat it relatively quickly, sure, because the game throws you a couple of DK partner barrels in between phases in case you mess up, although that last phase is the roughest. By the way, did anyone else get ganked by the delayed blast from K. Rool’s gun from the last cannonball because you thought you knew exactly when it was going to blow, but then it didn’t, and you fell right into the cannonball? That was a stroke of evil genius on Rare’s part, especially because instinctively you KNEW that had to be the kill shot and you just got tricked into dying.

But one of the great things about K. Rool Duel is replaying the fight and noticing yourself gradually getting better and recognizing the patterns so you can avoid them. Beating this fight for the first time without getting hit was an immensely satisfying feeling, and kudos to any of you who manage to do it as Diddy because holy crap, that last phase is hard to do as him without hitting anything. I mean, it’s possible to hit a skull as Diddy and still survive since they’re not insta-death things, but if you can do that without even TOUCHING one of those things as him? Props to you, man. Dixie’s helicopter twirl makes jumping over nearly anything easy, but Diddy doesn’t have that cushion. I believe he can jump higher and farther than Dixie if she doesn’t use the helicopter twirl, but you gotta be able to get the necessary running start first to make that leap, and it’s not easy when you don’t have a lot of room to maneuver.

--
"I couldn't stand a day without a past or future. I need to live each moment to keep fighting here and now."

Anyway, K. Rool Duel is a great boss fight in both forms, and how many games let you fight a great boss twice in different ways? Okay, lot of games let you do that, but this is one of them and it’s pretty cool. By the way, DK breaking free at the end of the first fight and knocking K. Rool outta there was awesome, and the intro of the Lost World fight where he’s covered in seaweed and the first shot of his gun blasts out fish was pretty funny. Also, that was probably the most free-flowing, stream of consciousness writeup I’ve done so far. That was just me rambling about K. Rool Duel without much thought about how to break things down into neat paragraphs by subject matter and whatnot. I don’t know why I’m telling you this. Maybe it’s because I enjoy stream of consciousness writing whenever I manage to get into that mindset. Feels more natural. Anyway, K. Rool Duel is an awesome final boss fight with great final boss music. The end.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite boss battle in a platformer?

--
"But you have been given freedom. Freedom to be...outside."
"I am lightning...the rain transformed."

Bonus Question: What is your favorite boss battle in a platformer?

Coming in at #5, it's Sonic versus Knuckles in S3&K! A fight so memorable, it escapes how actually bad it was from a gameplay perspective and lives on in shiny fifth place! Wowza Meowza!

Clocking in at #4, it's Sting Chameleon from Mega Man X! Why Sting Chameleon? Because I f***ing hate him and want him to f***ing die so badly that I'm making a statement with excess profanity even though I never so much as f***ing chuckle when 'comedy' devolves into this low-brow s***. I seriously want to strangle that f***ing chameleon every time it makes that stupid-ass reptilian laugh, and it doesn't help that I am unnaturally terrible at this boss fight whereas I can sweep the rest of the game in my sleep these days. F*** that f***ing lizard.

Arriving at #3, it's gotta be the first boss in Super Mario World! Thanks for all the memories at my cousin's house, until my family disowned me. But hey, my cousin was nice and swung by and let me beat the game on a borrowed SNES! Good memories.

Here's #2, and it's the final boss from S3&K! That's right, LinkMarioSamus ain't got nothin' on Hyper Sonic! How majestic yet thrilling! It's like a slice of platformer Uncharted... in space!

#1? #1? Final Sigma, Mega Man X5. Why that Sigma? Because Inafune!X ends with 5, so as far as I'm concerned the bastard's dead as a doorknob there, and that makes me...

Warm.

--
K | H | A | Q | Q | A | H | K
"we're about 50 years behind the rest of western society." -icon on B8

From: LeonhartFour | #226

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest spoilers below

22. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest – K. Rool Duel
By the way, did anyone else get ganked by the delayed blast from K. Rool’s gun from the last cannonball because you thought you knew exactly when it was going to blow, but then it didn’t, and you fell right into the cannonball? That was a stroke of evil genius on Rare’s part, especially because instinctively you KNEW that had to be the kill shot and you just got tricked into dying.

I was so disheartened when this happened because I had been stuck FOREVER on this level and after having come that close for the first time and failing because of that, I'm pretty sure I didn't touch the game for a couple of weeks. >_>

Sting Chameleon no match for the Boomer Kuwangerang

--
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/8718/leonflowchart.png

I'll get around to playing Kingdom Hearts one of these days.

LeonhartFour posted...

Bonus Question: What is your favorite boss battle in a platformer?

I'm sure there are much better ones, but off the top of my head I'll say the Dingodile boss fight in Crash Bandicoot 3. It was pretty easy, but I always thought it was kind of unique and clever.

--
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg5yivuhCH1qfy2kdo1_500.gif

KH2 is the best KH game, and I mostly agree with your write-up there. I think I'd disagree that KH1's combat is particularly better-- I think KH2's is more interesting with forms and just feels less mashy in general. I think the big reason people like KH1's combat more is they're overly attached to the guard roll haha. Although I've recently started playing Birth By Sleep and I kinda think I may end up liking that one the most by the time it's all said and done-- the combat system seems much upgraded. We'll see though.

Best boss fight is hard. Mostly cause there are like 15 Mega Man games with well over a dozen boss fights per game. I'm thinking a battle from MMX4 or MMX5 probably takes it but, yeah, kind of a blur.

Unless you consider 2D Metroids/Metroidvania games to be platformers. Then I suppose it might be from one of them. I wouldn't really considering platforming isn't a big deal in them.

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

Overly attached to Dodge Roll?

Maybe you mean overly attached to some sort of strategy in combat.
KHII is extremely more mashy because that's your only option! Drive forms and stuff look cool, but it's just ways to make mashing X do more damage.

Argh KHII argh. So disappointing.

Roxas would have been fun if he was actually important to the story.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

You can avoid attacks in KH2 fine. You just need to have an idea of what the attack is going to do before it comes out instead of just mashing square.

Dodge roll is "too easy" honestly. Too many invincibility frames.

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

Not really, this isn't BBS Dashing. But the real point is that you at least have to dodge in KH1. Your own placement on the battlefield is way more important im the first game.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

Uhhh you have to dodge in KH2 too there's just not a button for it. Which actually makes it a more involved process not a less involved one. You have to run and jump to get out of the way of stuff, and instead of just invincibility framing your way out of it.

Honestly KH1's dodge roll makes God of War's roll seem vulnerable. (That's not a good thing for those keeping score at home)

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

Seriously I think you haven't played KH1 in a long time.

You can Dodge Roll into attacks man and damage.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

You dodge roll into attacks yeah that's bad. That's also you being stupid, generally.

KH2's dodging is much more involved is all I'm saying. I'm assuming you played on normal and/or were really overleveled if you don't remember having to dodge in KH2. I mean neither of the KHs have hugely involved combat systems but KH2's is definitely better because there's actual thinking involved in dodging instead of just "mash square when you see attacks coming"

KH1's blocking system was cool though. Of course because dodge roll was so much easier there were almost no fights that blocking was desired, but you know, whatever.

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

I only play on the highest difficulty I can.

KH1 is always the harder game, except for some cheese in Demyx, and the Xaldin fight when you don't understand you can store 9 Jump reaction commands to do massive damage.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

From: Lopen | #238

You dodge roll into attacks yeah that's bad. That's also you being stupid, generally.

Also, I was only pointing out that you could, ergo there aren't that many invincibility frames.
I should clarify you take damage mid-roll.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

KH1 hard mode is actually harder than KH2 hard mode, yeah.

It's not because of the dodging being less mindless though it's because stuff hits harder.

KH1 with KH2's dodging options now that would be a manly game. Or KH2 with KH1's damage.

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

gotta interrupt this KH lovefest to say that no combination of anything in KH can be construed as manly. or good.

--
You saved science, SuperNiceDog!
Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA basketball champions!

Can't handle those giant shoes.

--
No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!

Or all that chest hair.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

KHII's combat was a big step back from KHI's, and a large part of the reason I'm not a big fan of it (the other big reason is that so many of the planets had extremely bland maps). It does have some great moments - Xaldin, 1000 Heartless Battle, TWTNW, but the original's best are just as good.

--
We are living our lives
Abound with so much information

Bonus Question: What is your favorite boss battle in a platformer?

Platformers huh.

DKC bosses so great, along with a few from Kirby, but I gotta go with Klonoa. Against Joker (I think that's his name)

--
Aww, I lost to SuperNiceDog, Winner of the Rivalry Rumble Guru Contest

From: Kotetsu534 | #245

(the other big reason is that so many of the planets had extremely bland maps).

This is my main gripe on the series (that 3D might address somewhat!).

Even if it was unpolished there was a real charm to random environmental puzzles and platforming that revealed secret areas and treasure.
It's just cool to go back to the world after the story was done with it and find new rewards.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0

From: pjbasis | #233
Roxas would have been fun if he was actually important to the story.
So he's fun then?

Good.

(Although I don't really understand what "important to the story" has to do with a character being fun or not, but whatever)

Also, I need to play Birth by Sleep one of these days. If only Square would just port it to the PS3 or something.

--
http://img.imgcake.com/leonpngpe.png
http://img.imgcake.com/squalloweenpngem.png

No time for a writeup today, but the weekend is coming!

--
http://i43.tinypic.com/dgwh0.gif
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/atukam/OHWD/snownd.gif

Roxas was an umbrella term for Twilight Town and all things related to that subplot.

It was a good story in Days, but in KHII? It added nothing other than Sora going "Why do they keep calling me Roxas!??!" and giving Axel a reason to be renegade.

Nevermind that Chain of Memories was building Axel up to be a guy that may have started out just trying to help out Roxas, but ended up really liking the double-crossing and subversion for it's own sake.

--
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr345/Rakaputra/pjbasis.png
SuperNiceDog - 1, pjbasis - 0