Viewtiful Joe. Wow, something worthwhile on the GC

[Darwin]

As a loyal Xbot, I'm pretty sure I'll get smacked for even mentioning this game ... but the other Xbots usually don't peruse this forum so I should be safe.

On a whim, I bought the new Viewtiful Joe game. Why? Perhaps I wasn't feeling to well. Perhaps I needed a change. A 2-D side scrolling, platform-fighting-action game ... something that I rarely play, yet I bought it anyway.

And I must say that so far this game kicks some serious ass. The strategy is quite deep and the game is very challenging. The controls are very responsive and I'm surprised at how the game can instantaneously speed up/slow down the action and not miss a beat.

Not sure why IGN gave the gameplay a 10/10 ... that's something that should be reserved for a monumental, ground-breaking game. I think IGN may have overated it a bit, however VJ is still a very good game indeed.

[shogun]

In my eyes, Viewtiful Joe is a classic.

Mind you, I don't hand out that distinction that often. Mario 64, Soul Calibur and (possibly) Metroid Prime are my latest ones. I honestly can't say anything bad about this game...that might change, as I haven't beaten it yet, but right now I'm in love.

"Davidson is in tha hoouuuse! Hulk Davidson is borrn to be Wiiiiiilllllld!"

[slade]

How far are you guys in this game? I'm on Stage six and have used 27 continues so far. Game is harder then anything I've played in the past year or so. Not counting F-zero which mainly seems to be cheap hard.

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\"> Not counting F-zero which mainly seems to be cheap hard.</div>

You referring to the rubber-banding AI and the fact that they gang up on you and push you off the track? That's not really racing because if the AI were programmed properly, they would have to get around you cleanly.

Yes, this is what will keep F-zero from achieving true greatness. It has excellent level designs, excellent vehicles with a wide variety of them, and excellent controls. However, the 3-laps combined with the cheap AI tactics are what hurt the game and kill a lot of the long-term replay value. There's not much incentive for me to get really good at F-zero when all the races are ultra short and it doesn't matter how well I do since victory is decided in the last half of the last lap (thanks to rubber-banding). This sort of limited AI (if you can call it that) was OK for games 10 years ago, but why is this still the standard in many racers today, particularly the "arcade" physics racers?

F-zero would have really benefited from some sort of drafting effect. I.e. get close and stay in the draft of your opponent, then sling shot past them to cleanly pass them. And, part of the strategy would be how to not let the AI draft you, while still mainting control on the track. This would have definitely added extra depth to the game.

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\">How far are you guys in this game? </div>

I'm ready to start the flying level (mission 3 ?). I won't be progressing through this game quickly because I've got other gaming needs to take care of. Namely the online League race today.

[slade]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

You referring to the rubber-banding AI and the fact that they gang up on you and push you off the track? That's not really racing because if the AI were programmed properly, they would have to get around you cleanly.</div>

Yeah, this happens a lot in story mode. I'm on Chapter 7 and my interest is beginning to flag. Mostly because of Viewtiful Joe but also because of the cheapness of the AI. I swear the first two racers either have unlimited boost or take no damage and keep up with me without using the boost. It looks like I'm going to have to learn snaking to beat them but the track isn't even ideal for snaking.

I'm ready to start the flying level (mission 3 ?).

Yeah, Level 3 begins with a short flight level. But it's only the first part of the mission. Shame too though because it was easily one of the most fun parts of the game. Best 2d flight mission I've played this side of MDK2.

Currently, I'm still stuck at Level six. Haven't gotten much playtime but I can consistently beat the bat guy now however Hulk Davidson is even more of a problem. Still haven't come up with a consistent way of beating him. It doesn't help that he's faster now then he was in Level 2. In fact, I think most of the bosses will be harder now and I don't even want to face Another Joe if that holds true. The only way I beat him the first time was by pure luck.