[2024] A Game of Games.

[* Ivaylo]

I don't know what an idle game is.

Tell us about an RPG game you played!

[* Tardy Tardis]

One RPG I’ll always have a soft spot for is Baldur’s Gate II. The character depth, moral choices, and sheer amount of content made it feel like a world all its own. I especially enjoyed the party banter, and how characters would sometimes just not get along. The tactical combat kept things challenging too, especially when it came to some of those later mage fights—definitely some save-and-reload moments there. It’s a classic for a reason!

Alright, let’s keep things moving! How about an action-adventure game you’ve played?

[* Single Malt Scotch]

I really liked Okami on the PS2. Beautiful artwork and a lot of fun to play. One of the game mechanics involves pausing the screen which turns it into parchment and drawing on it with an ink brush. You do this to attack enemies, clear paths, create bridges. It's really clever and complements the Japanese watercolor art style.

What's an action game that you've played?

[* Grumpy bear]

Hrmpf! Action, again? They don't allow most of them in Care-A-Lot as they are too agressive .

So, tell me about a movie tie-in game you played.

[* Ivaylo]

Ivaylo has played Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth! It is VERY loosely based on the "Lord of the Rings" movies, and it is also difficult, but it is fun!

Tell us about a strategy game you played!

[* Single Malt Scotch]

The original X-COM had strategy elements to it. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It came out in 1994, but I didn't play it until more recently. Usually I have a hard time getting into older games that I haven't played before, but I had no problem with X-COM. It was satisfying as you start out fighting aliens and being on the defensive, to attacking the aliens.

What's a FMV game you've played?

[* Tardy Tardis]

One FMV game I’ve played is Her Story. It’s a unique take on interactive storytelling, where you search through video clips of police interviews to piece together a story. The non-linear format was intriguing; it felt like I was investigating the mystery myself, connecting details as I went along. It was a bit of a brain-twister, but the immersion was unmatched—definitely a different type of gaming experience!

Now let’s go for something lighter—what’s a puzzle game you’ve played?

[* Single Malt Scotch]

Katamari Damacy. A really simple game where you roll around the environment and have stuff stick to your ball, but a lot of fun. Great soundtrack and cool visuals. The English dub is kind of trippy, too.

What's a sports game that you've played.

[* Grumpy bear]

Hrmpf! Why do I get the sports game again!!

I did a couple of putting games and a baseball game but I can't remember any titles. Grumble.

So, let's do this a different way and tell me about a game you thought had a disappointing ending.

[* Ivaylo]

Ivaylo the Disappointed thinks Dragon Age 2 was very disappointing! He does not think he has to explain why!

Tell us about a simulation game you played!

[* Single Malt Scotch]

One of the very first games that I got was F-15 Strike Eagle. Honestly, it is kind of dull. You pretty much just fly around and drop bombs on targets while occasionally fighting aircraft and dodging missiles. There's no story or even a goal. You just gain points and that's pretty much it. I think part of it has to do with technical limitations at the time, or possibly being early enough that people were trying to figure out what a game should be.

What's a non-Sierra adventure game that you've played?

[* Grumpy bear]

Grim Fandango, which was pretty solid, my favorite Schafer game.

Tell me about a game you think has poor controls.

[* Tardy Tardis]

One game with notoriously frustrating controls has to be Resident Evil (the original). The "tank" controls made moving feel so clunky, especially in high-stress situations. Trying to turn while slowly being stalked by a zombie was an experience all its own—mostly terrifying because of the controls, not just the zombies! Still, it’s a classic, even if the controls took some getting used to.

Alright, let’s lighten the mood again! Tell me about a sandbox game you’ve played.

[* Single Malt Scotch]

It's generally considered an RPG, but The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is also a sandbox game. A huge world to explore and some of the side quests are more fun and interesting than the main quest. The leveling system which abandons conventional RPG systems with stats is also great. The more you do something, the better you get at it.

What's a hack and slash game that you've played?

[* Ivaylo]

Ivaylo the Disappointed tried playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which involves a lot of hacking and some slashing! But it is impossible to sneak in this game, so when you need to escape from some marauding horse archers -- and you're wearing farm clothes, and only armed with a knife -- it's impossible to escape, and they quickly kill you! It is very disappointing! Ivaylo does not need to play a game like that, his entire life is spent avoiding horse archers of the Mongol kind!

Tell us about a strategy game you played!