Getting a PS3…

So, it looks like we're getting a PS3. First console since…Atari 2600? We're getting it primarily as a bluray and media player, so the gaming is a distant 3rd place. I'm a dedicated PC player and it will be connected to the main TV, which I'm not going to monopolise.

Still, when I've got a day off and Kayla is at work, I might want to check out some of this feet-up-on-the-couch gaming.

What should I get? I think I'll suck with the controller - I just haven't ever used one. Plus, this will only be occasional play, so a deep or difficult game like Demon's Souls might be a bit much (at first, anyway). I like open world games and story-based shooters, maaaaaybe a little racing and arcade stuff…what easy, pick-up-and-play, short play session suggestions do you have?

Resistance: Fall of Man, and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune come to mind for good story-based shooters.

Resistance is in first-person, and is more of a pure shooter with a decent story. Uncharted is a 3rd person action-adventure with some light platforming elements, and lots of combat. Think Far-Cry meets Indiana Jones. They might seem a bit difficult until you get a hang of the PS3 gamepad.

One nice feature of the PS3 is that you can download free demos for most of the games.

Originally Posted by JDR13
One nice feature of the PS3 is that you can download free demos for most of the games.

*That* was what I was going to suggest - set up a PSN account and grab loads of demos, and perhaps even some cheap downloadable PSN games.

As for controller, I've been using the X360 wireless with my PC for a couple of years now and you *do* get used to it.

I bought a PS3 a couple of summers back.

You might want the PS3 Media server. It's excellent for watching movies and episodes from your computer. Easy to set up and supports most formats:
http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com

The following is the games I bought;

Condemned 2: Sequel to one of my horror favorites. Not as good as the first game as far as I concern. Less mysterious.

Little Big Planet: A must have if you have family. With up to 4 players and overwhelming cuteness this is really a game to play with your children or a mate who is unused to consolegames.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, if you played and enjoy the first games in the series, this is a must. If you didn't, play them first.

Resident Evil 5: PC version is probably better, but I enjoyed it. I have played all the other RE games and there are some reoccuring characters here that you might appreciate more if you played the others. Quite good action.

Siren Blood Curse: An unusual survival horror title focused on survival more than combat. Can be quite annoying but a must if you are a fans of the genré.

The Force Unleashed: I bought it for the story and I say it didn't deliver. A lesser version of God of War with a Star Wars theme.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune: Probably the best game available for PS3. Blends Gears of War with Tomb Raider, with a Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones kind of movie-feel. If story means anything, this is the closest you get to a movie.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves: Haven't played yet.

Valkyrie Chronicles. Turn-based strategy game with rpg elements and great story. You manage a platoon of soldiers/tank and their equipment among many other things. One of the best games on ps3. The combat in the game is very nicely done. It was the reason I bought ps3 originally.

IGN review "Highly Recommended":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0BuH…eature=related

The game has three DLCs and sequel coming on PSP.

Not sure if this is your style, but check out Heavy Rain. Personally, that's the game that would get me to buy a PS3.

Not yet, however.

Originally Posted by Anderson
Not sure if this is your style, but check out Heavy Rain. Personally, that's the game that would get me to buy a PS3.

Not yet, however.

Mark Cage, the same guy who did Indigo Prophecy (Fahrenheit) also did this …

I'm not so big on the survival horror stuff and I've never played or even seen a Metal Gear Solid game before (dedicated PC gamer, remember). Aren't they supposed to be quite hard? Seriously, when my nephew wants me to play on his X360, I'm flat out pointing in the right direction. Given short, infrequent game sessions, I think it needs to be fairly friendly stuff for a bit.

Uncharted seems to be well recommended, so I might make that the first purchase. Sounds like a nice combination.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by zakhal
Valkyrie Chronicles. Turn-based strategy game with rpg elements and great story. You manage a platoon of soldiers/tank and their equipment among many other things. One of the best games on ps3. The combat in the game is very nicely done. It was the reason I bought ps3 originally.

IGN review "Highly Recommended":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0BuH…eature=related

The game has three DLCs and sequel coming on PSP.

I bought a new copy of Valkyria Chronicles last week off Ebay, I haven't opened it yet, but I've been playing the demo from the PSN store.

I have mixed feelings from the demo. I love the artistic style of the hand drawn graphics, and the story seems fairly unique. The problem I have is that the action is a lot slower than I expected, and the game is really just a turn-based strategy game with some real time action imo, not a "tactical role-playing game" as it's advertised.

Originally Posted by Dhruin
I've never played or even seen a Metal Gear Solid game before (dedicated PC gamer, remember). Aren't they supposed to be quite hard?

Not that hard. Although I cheated in the only buttonmashing sequence in the first game. I decided to try MGS with the ePSXe PS1 emulator a few years back and I got instantly hooked. A driving point with the series is that they have some of the most complex storylines in videogaming history that can be both philosophical and emotional. I played the PC version of MGS2 and the series made me break my long tradition of having no consoles, I got PS2 just for MGS3 and MGS4 was my primary force to get a PS3.

Originally Posted by Dhruin
Seriously, when my nephew wants me to play on his X360, I'm flat out pointing in the right direction. Given short, infrequent game sessions, I think it needs to be fairly friendly stuff for a bit.
Uncharted seems to be well recommended, so I might make that the first purchase. Sounds like a nice combination.
Thanks for the suggestions!

Here's the Uncharted: Drake's Fortune trailer. I'm looking forward to play the 2nd game. When I have the time.

Originally Posted by JDR13
I have mixed feelings from the demo. I love the artistic style of the hand drawn graphics, and the story seems fairly unique. The problem I have is that the action is a lot slower than I expected, and the game is really just a turn-based strategy game with some real time action imo, not a "tactical role-playing game" as it's advertised.

Its definetly not a rpg but strategy game with som rpg elements like levels, skills, money, equipment, etc. There are many ways that you can choose to "invest" your hard-gained money and experience whether its a newspaper article, new thread for tank or healing ability. Although its not a rpg game as we define them you do feel at times like som kind of fantasy war commander making decisions on and off the battlefield.

Picked up a package today that included a free Assassins Creed 2 and bluray remote, so I'll start with that but I plan to pick up Uncharted asap.

Originally Posted by Dhruin
Picked up a package today that included a free Assassins Creed 2 and bluray remote, so I'll start with that but I plan to pick up Uncharted asap.

How much did that cost Down Under?

I've had a PS3 for years now. Since you don't have PS2 compatibility, that reduces you to PS1 and PS3 games. Ignoring PS1 games, I recommend the following games (to RPG gamers):
1- Valkyria Chronicles +++++
2- Bladestorm ++++

Others not so highly recommended, but acceptable depending on your taste:
- Eternal Sonata +++
- Cross Edge ++

Originally Posted by JDR13
How much did that cost Down Under?

AUD$488, which is about USD$439.

Don't laugh. The RRP is $499 for the bare console, so $488 with a top new release and remote is good value….here, anyway.

Mega Man 9. It's cheap, a PSN title. (BWAHAHAHAHAHA!)

If you like Marvel Comics, both Marvel Ultimate Alliance games are decent enough. Think Diablo with Wolverine, and your set. The first is far better, with a plot, and IMO better character selection.

Ghostbusters. 'Nuff said. Simple, fairly easy.

LEGO Batman. Very easy, with simple beat-em-up gameplay, some puzzles, and it's Batman.

Sonic's SEGA Genesis Collection. Has a number of older console titles, including RPGs. Mixed, obviously, but try out the old school Sonic the Hedgehog games.

Civilization Revolution is CivLite. VERY easy, turn based. If you've played civilization, you'll know what to expect here. Just… way easier.

Originally Posted by azraelck
Sonic's SEGA Genesis Collection. Has a number of older console titles, including RPGs. Mixed, obviously, but try out the old school Sonic the Hedgehog games.

Hey didn't I tell you about that one?

I got it last week. There's a lot of fun to be had with it, even if some of the titles didn't age as well as I thought they would.

I'm having a heap of fun so far with AssCreed2 and inFamous (borrowed from my nephew). I'll get to the suggestions here when I have time and run out of stuff to borrow.

Any great couch co-op options that Kayla might be interested in? We've had a bit of fun with Street Fighter 4 and I sense she might like to take it further. No straight shooters and needs to be reasonably friendly.

Edit: Thanks for the PS3 Media Server link a bit back - that works beautifully. My wifi can't stream movies but for music and copying files over, it's great.

Originally Posted by Dhruin

Edit: Thanks for the PS3 Media Server link a bit back - that works beautifully. My wifi can't stream movies but for music and copying files over, it's great.

Why not? I use my wifi to stream movies to the PS3 all the time. Guess not HD movies, but standard def. should be fine.

Signal loss, I guess. The "server" is at the back of the house and gets a bit of loss. I haven't tried video clips and the like but DVD-quality Divx files stutter a lot.