Pun Intended here, again!
I like Dark Cloud 2. I really, really do.
The voice acting is fun (not to mention I get the enjoyment of picturing Robin from Teen Titans every time Max opens his mouth. No, seriously. I do enjoy it.), the graphics are great (with regards to PS2 graphics) with really nice and vibrant color choices in its environments. It's so pretty!
I enjoy the battle system and the leveling system with the weapons. (SYNTHESIZE ALL THE MATERIALS)
Yet, I've played the game 3 times and stopped in chapter 3. All. Three. Times.
What is wrong with me?
Every so often I go back to this game to replay it, but it's been so long since I last played, I've forgotten the story so I start over. Everything is going great. I'm having fun, taking pictures of enemies and the sky and everything else I should do. I'm leveling my weapons and killing the enemies I just took photos of.
But every. Single. Friggin. Time I play, I stop in the middle of the 3rd chapter around the point where you learn how to play a mini-game called Spheda (think mini golf).
About a year ago, I even bought the strategy guide instead of relying on gamefaqs all the time for the rebuilding aspects and sidequesty stuff. I thought maybe that would help motivate me past the third chapter. Nope. That didn't help either.
I think at this point, I just need someone to yell at me to get off my ass (or in this case, actually sit on my ass...) and finish the game. I really need to retrain my brain to not be a completionist with RPGs the first playthrough so I can actually, y'know, enjoy the story. What a concept. I think I get so caught up in how much I enjoy leveling my weapons and stuff that I overwhelm my brain with ALL THE DARK CLOUD 2 EVER for a few weeks straight that my brain is telling me:
No.
Stahp.
Plox.
Wat are you doing? D:
I do this every time with games of this sort. Oh, don't even get me started on FFXII. Oh hell. That is something I'm scared to play again because I do ALL THE HUNTS EVER. and then FORGET ALL THE STORY EVER. Damn you addicting side quests. Why are you so mean to my distractable brain? Not cool! People hate tend to hate on linear games. I LOVE linear games that push you along occasionally because then...I can actually finish it. It's so wonderful. Yet, Dark Cloud 2 is pretty decently linear. So... What the ever loving freaking fuck, brain? You really are a scumbag.
Someone please berate me for my lack of motivation before I start flipping tables or something.
 |
| Too late. |
Will I ever get to the bloody fourth chapter? At least from so many times of replaying it now, I actually have a decent handle on the story finally without needing to start over? *twitch*
Does anyone else have this issue with games? Someone please tell me I'm not alone! (It doesn't have to be Dark Cloud 2 specific, of course.)
P.S. This will be the last article by Pun Intended that says it's by Scott Rosenberg! I will finally get my name back with the next article. T^T *tears of happy*
You should do what I do. Being a completionist is fine, but save it till the second playthrough. If you never get around to the second playthrough, then it's not a good enough game to be worth it. Or save multiple times so you can play ahead with one file, and come back with the other. The ultimate thing is YOU bought the game. No one can tell you how to play it.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember if I ever finished it but I was really far into it. The golf part is awesome and I remember doing it too. Taking pictures was fun too. It was great to find new recipe. I'm not sure how a strategy guide would ruin the discovery part. Dark Cloud 2 is a really great game... Still proud I blindly bought it on release.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I had found it used yeaaaaaaars ago at a Gamestop and
ReplyDeletebought it not knowing anything about it. I'm really pleased with it! Just got
to get over my completionistic personality. >.< Blaarr!
and yeah, having the strategy guide is just a nice aide so that way you know if there's any photos or anything you missed. :3 It also has some really beautiful art!
As someone who really loves just about everything about Dark Cloud 2, I can entirely understand where you are coming from. I have been stuck in the forest for longer than I would care to publicly admit. But the gameplay and all else is just so fun, but so involved.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I have this problem with quite a few games. Call me fickle, but I think it's fun to play around...
It's so nice to know I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteWriting this post has really inspired me to start playing a bit more, and I'm farther than I've ever been! I'm a few dungeon levels away from the final boss fight of chapter 3! :3
GASP! That is so awesome. You're giving me the itch to plug my playstation 2 in... I'll let you know if I escape the forest and finally get my shit together with dear Jurak. I have the guide as well and found it lacking in many areas, especially when it comes to the forest level - rebuilding the future. Much of it is common sense but I'm far too old to think in such a way it seems.
ReplyDeleteAlso, have you tried White Knight Chronicles? Also a Level 5 game with some Dark Cloud elements, but a wonderful game on it's own. Just slightly lacking in the combat department. Worth a look-see, very affordable for a PS3 game!
Oh, I haven't! I'll have to look into it.
ReplyDeleteand yeah, the guide is a bit lacking, sadly. : / it is also useless when it comes to finding the powerups in the future. I like to supplement the guide with this faq:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/561438-dark-cloud-2/faqs/36910
It's really well written and fills in any blanks that the guide misses out on.
a game I have been really enjoying on the PS3 is Enchanted Arms. The art is really pretty, and I'm enjoying the story too so far. Once the semester ends, I'm going to get around to playing more of it.
SO MANY GAMES TO PLAY!!!
ReplyDelete