From Dust

Downloading now after seeing those posts at Gaf indicating buying the sucker from the Microsoft Store a day early; cannot wait to play this bugger.

God I've been waiting for a decent strategy title on xbox - hopefully this is it.

So god damned addicting. Could not stop playing for the past 3 hours. The menu says I'm half-way through the story mode. Great care was spent on the user experience as you adapt to the new mechanics and tools at your disposal with each new level, most people should be able to pick this game up and enjoy it thoroughly without the ui or difficulty getting in the way. A couple of times though I found myself hating the time based challenges that would pop up, but they are manageable to work through; in the early levels it goes against your explorer instincts of wandering around the islands to see what's out there, but not a deal breaker or game killer. If anything you look at those failings and go okay I know what I did wrong and I can try that again, which is satisfying in the end. Or you put on your puzzle solving hat to seal off environmental hazards. Graphically it's simple to take in, but at the same time you find yourself in awe of some game related events going wow that was awesome. The soundtrack starts off unique enough in a Patapon way, but it takes a backseat as you start to terraform everything. After the meaty story mode is done there's the option to replay it all with challenge mode levels. Wish I could play some more but I have to call it a night and go to work in the morning.

God I'm in love with this game. Was just dicking around on the Tsunami level and had a 'hate goes on the head' moment when I realised I should probably and control the direction of water rather than fight to create slipshod causeways. I spent most of that level swearing at my tribesmen when they wouldn't cross the tiny little causeway I created for them which was been eroded by the second.

 

I like the music, but I feel I may have to wuss out and throw some Engima and Deep Forest on as a custom soundtrack. It feels like the 90s ambient version of Brutal Legend, although without such stringent soundtrack policy.

Played the trial and got past the Tsunami part only for the demo to end as a volcano was erupting.

 

Talk about cliffhanger. Sheesh. Really really... REALLY enjoyed what I played and will fork out for some MS points next week.

 

 

Only fiddled around with the water and Sand sucking and poring. It's quite a thing to see the landscape evolve and those sea slug things appear.

Alright some advice from chewers who've played both. Which should I buy and play first - this or Bastion?

Kid always wondered what he'd do in a Sophie's Choice situation; it never mattered what the Kid chose, 1st world problems are the best kind. Except the Kid spent his money buying games and neglected the electricity bill and rent. Kid sat there feeling the cold breath of the wind mocking him as he sat there in the alley playing god with a nearby ant hill.

Oh man, that was great! I was hearing the Bastion narrator in my head while reading that.

 

Rain Dog, if you can't decide which one floats your boat more after playing both trial versions of the game, I doubt I could help you. Bastion and From Dust are so different that it's hard to really compare the two.  One thing's for sure though, this year's Summer of Arcade is much better than last year's as far as I'm concerned.

I haven't tried Bastion yet, but does anything significantly change from the demo to full version of From Dust?  The demo is vaguely amusing but there's just not enough to it to make me feel like it's worth the purchase for me.

I really wish the PC version dropped this week, but I can wait.  After watching the quick look on giant bomb, I was sold, but moreso on the ease of using a mouse.

Ruhroh, did Ubisoft just lie to tons of now pissed off pc gamers about not needing an always on internet connection? RPS Post on the issue. Because they've lied not only to customers, but also Steam - Steam is reportedly allowing refunds for the game - no they're not they got your money (evil laughs). Calling it right now...the same lies probably apply to Driver San Francisco's drm that they've said they're not gonna include at launch.
Edited by mongycore - 8/19/11 at 1:10pm