http://fortressat.com/ Tue, 21 May 2013 12:21:31 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39132 I'm sorry, what were you saying, Mike? Ken B. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:49:35 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39126 IT'S LIKE I DON'T EXIST! WHY DON'T YOU LOOK AT ME... DURING? Black Barney Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:28:19 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39113 Like I said, it's subtle. Her "Burst of Speed" chip seems harmless enough, and actually appears to give you a choice--either trash it early to get a jump on your opponent, or wait until late in the game for a 1-2 killing blow. But fact is, it's *always* the best choice to play it and trash it as soon as possible. Why? It thins your deck and gives you tempo advantage. Now, that may not seem that bad, but that's where the expert play comes in--this advantage is HUGE. Much larger than it would appear. Usually that extra turn is spent buying an extra chip or combine. Because her deck has two crashes, she can use the thinner deck immediately to rush you with gems, almost every turn. See? It's not something you see at first glance or even playing it several times. But once you hone in on how to play her, and what part that chip plays, well, she becomes pretty damned strong. Her fork chip is much better, in my opinion, in terms of opening up lots of combo strategies. She no longer has the auto deck-thinning and free turn, but now she has all three chips that have synergy with each other, more than some of the other characters can say. Ken B. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:56:53 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39112 What's the Valerie exploit? I'm looking at her chips and can't figure out what it might be... Drinkdrawers Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:51:14 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39111 Did he have a belt and a jar of Vasoline in his hands when he did it? Ken B. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:07:55 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39109 [i]It's even better when you know that I cribbed it from an old radio show, "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar."[/i] Really? I thought for sure you were referencing the old David Carradine Tai Chi videotape series commercials/infomercials...at the end, he extends his hands to the viewer and says "come, won't you join us?" in that creepy David Carradine way. Michael Barnes Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:05:03 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39106 The balance issues really only come up at expert level play. For most folks who play this casually, they honestly would never notice. It's not blatant. But Sirlin takes the tournament scene very seriously, and rather than just ignore the issues or force people to remember errata, he published a whole kit with new chips. And screens. And mats. Honestly, it's way cool and very refreshing. He listens to his games' fans, almost to a fault. Ken B. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:12:29 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39105 Those Puzzle Strike screens and player aids would go a nice way to making it more accessible to people who haven't played Dominion and for crashing to make more sense. Haven't played enough to notice the balance issues, although I'd like to. Jexik Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:09:19 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39103 Ha! I knew I forgot something. It's even better when you know that I cribbed it from an old radio show, "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar." Once you've heard that recitation, it changes the sexy come on to something more hardboiled. But still sexy. Ken B. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:54:14 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39102 I didn't read the article since I wasn't invited to "join us, won't you?" this time. That creepy/sexy come-on is what lures me into reading Next of Ken week in, week out. I've thought about ripping it off for Barnestorming. Anyway, Mortal Kombat is one of the best of 2011. I took the assignment as a lark, thinking it would probably be worth a laugh. But I'll be damned, they made the best Mortal Kombat _ever_. I love that they totally embraced the ludicrous, over-the-top nature of it in a very unironic- yet self-aware- way. The story mode is a blast, the challenge tower offers tons of play value, and the unlockables are actually fun to "shop" for in the graveyard. I don't think I'm interested in the "Cursed" Yomi cards...it doesn't really sound all that interesting. I haven't played in a while, might be time to hop back on to Sirlin.net. Still one of the best games of 2011, if not the best period. Those Puzzle Strike screens are cute though. Michael Barnes Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:49:11 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39101 Matt, haven't played Pompeii so I can't comment. Just glancing over it, Eruption seems much simpler and far less "mathy" I guess. Just grab a tile, place some lava, maybe play a card or two, build a wall if you want...next player's go. It's all very tactical and short-term decision making, particularly in larger games. Huge ability to be an outright dick, though. Gotta love it. As for MK...nobody's more surprised than I am. I think I've played maybe three Arcade matches with Reptile just to do a couple of Fatalities, but otherwise I'm completely enmeshed in the story mode. I'm over four hours in now, which is insane for any fighting game's story mode. Ken B. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:46:17 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39099 How does is compare to Pompeii? Also, you've actually managed to get me interested in that stupid MK game... for the story?!?! MattLoter Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:30:27 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39098 Ken, if I may make a request... [IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/BlackBarney/Ken.jpg[/IMG] ...it would be that you keep us very much up to speed on your PS3 gaming. You're the biggest console-gaming addict I know of yesteryear so to hear your impressions on a biweekly basis (i chose biweekly just cuz...well you know) would make me a happy panda. I can't wait for you to hit the AAA titles when you're done playin' stuff like MK. btw, make sure to use the guy with the hat (not Raiden or Freddy Kruger, they're both awesome) but the other hat guy. Kung Lao? omg, he's SOOOO good Black Barney Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:26:06 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39096 It's actually more lean than you'd expect in that regard. There are only a few different types of action cards, and they have two functions. The primary actions are chiefly move walls, move or rotate tiles, or place extra tiles. The second function is that each card can be exchanged for a wall instead. So no bloat, really. It is a bit more complex than Survive of course, and while I made the comparison the gameplay is rather different. Just the overall vibe is the same. As for variety, the random draw of the lava tiles and the paths they end up forming means the board will never be the same twice. It's also going to shift even more as opportunities for attack get too tempting, or when someone emerges as a leader they'd better be ready for a torrent of lava flow headed their way. That's when you get creative with your own tile placements and wall building. Better their villagers get crispy than yours, right? Ken B. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:25:41 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2891#josc39093 The first thing I thought of when you described the gameplay of Eruption was Survive and that immediately led me to this question: How is the bloat factor? I like complexity in my games, so I appreciate having all kinds of cards and abilities that do different things. OTOH, games like Survive work because they expressly avoid that. There are only 3 creatures in the game and they only do those 3 things. Most of the cards (tiles) are centered around those creatures (plus the boats.) Adding more to it (as with the Squid expansion) just adds bloat. But if the game is designed to have a bunch of cards and abilities, then more is better, IMO. So, with Eruption, does it feel like it's lacking variety or does it feel like there's too much (aka bloat) or neither? Jackwraith Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:03:33 +0100