Japanese "Play Together" club?

[PUSH RUN BUTTON!]

Don't get too excited by the subject of this post  - but I noticed over at Racketboy.com they have a sort of book club for games, where a group of folks decide on a game to play together, then share what they thought about the game. What if there was a similar group here, but specifically for Japanese games (especially text intensive RPGs, etc)? We could share about what to do next, working or nonworking strategies, general advice and the like. Maybe some of the Japanese readers could also lend a hand or lead a group through a game.

I know that for me it'd make taking on a Japanese RPG a lot less intimidating if there was a group of us all playing - instead of just working with a walkthrough guide. What do you think?

[soop]

We did kind of have that, it's just been a bit quiet at the moment.  The last one was Donkey Kong on the Gameboy.

Hah, wrong forum.  Whoops.  Yeah, it's a pretty good idea I suppose, although...  Most of us being PCE collectors already have (and have played) anything worth playing.

It's a bit better when you do it cross-system so there's always a cheap hidden gem (IMO)

[SignOfZeta]

This is a good idea.

[soop]

So what's the first game then?  I'd suggest getting our ideas together here, making a poll and have a new one every month starting from February the first.

As long as we're doing it that is.

I'd suggest... Parasol Stars and Turrican

*edit* Turrican is a bad idea, because I can't find any copies.  Was it even released outside of the US?

[Tatsujin]

This is a good idea.

DITO

[_Paul]

Already did this here but it kind of fizzled out.

[SignOfZeta]

I should clarify that I like the idea of it being a JRPG. Maybe it would be a good idea to pick something major that everyone has for the first game, like TM2, Y's IV, Kabuki-den, etc.

[PUSH RUN BUTTON!]

I agree I think a JRPG would be more what I was thinking.

A few days ago, I started Neo Metal Fantasy using the terrific walkthrough on the forums. It's great, but I'm not really sure what's going on as far as who's moving the plot, etc. Would be cool to have a few folks to talk about it with - but I'm open to any JRPG or text heavy game.

[roflmao]

I'd be down with Kabuki Den - It's the only JRPG I own.  I downloaded an awesome FAQ from gamefaqs, but haven't had the motivation to work through it.  If there were others playing it, I'd likely give it a go.

[incrediblehark]

Good idea, especially a jrpg. if we we're doing any game I'd say to play MSR when it's released.

[PUSH RUN BUTTON!]

I'd be down with Kabuki Den - It's the only JRPG I own.  I downloaded an awesome FAQ from gamefaqs, but haven't had the motivation to work through it.  If there were others playing it, I'd likely give it a go.

I have Kabuki Den - and hear it's pretty awesome. It's a JRPG and it's in Japanese (which is sorta the point of playing together, I'm thinking). Does it make any impact in the overall continuity of the series by starting off with this game?

There seems to be enough interest in playing all sorts of games that it might also make sense to have a sort of "together retro" (name of RacketBoy.com group play forum) for any Turbo or PCE game.

[Samurai Ghost]

Really busy these days so I'm not sure if I'd be able to play through an RPG, but I can read Japanese and have quite a few Japanese RPGs on PC Engine so if I could help out in some way let me know!

As far as suggestions go, what about something like Dragon Knight II? Too kinky?

[PUSH RUN BUTTON!]

Kinky? It'd take a lot to make me blush. Bring it on. 

[spenoza]

I helped start the program at Racketboy, but I've been busy enough lately that I haven't been spending any time there for the past year or two. Good community, for the most part. Shame I don't have time to fully partake.

[roflmao]

That's my only concern about this.  I'd guess a lot of us are full time family people and gaming time is a precious rarity.  As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I'd love to give Kabuki Den ago, but I honestly can't commit a set number of hours right now to any game.  I feel lucky when I can sit down and spend half an hour or forty-five minutes on a game.  And I'll often go days, if not more, between those bursts.

[Sadler]

I'm totally down for this assuming I've got the game you guys decide on. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the Far East of Eden games outside of Kabuki Itoryoden. Can I interest you guys in some Legend of Xanadu?

[SignOfZeta]

I could do Xanadu 1. All the Tengai Makyo games are cheap as hell though. It would be worth the $15 or whatever for Manji Maru or Kabuki Den. They are both awesome. I know this because I've competed the first 3/4 of both of them before bailing out for some stupid reason.

[RegalSin]

Yeah we should totally rent out a building or even an unused feild of some sort and setup bunkers, and tree houses where we can play play videogames and eat smores together. Lets call it "Yugio"

Yes
United
Gamers
In
Outside

or "no mame" because it is going to be pure game systems and no mame.

[soop]

I wouldn't mind Neo Metal Fantasy.  I've barely touched it, but it's reasonably priced, and we do have a walkthrough.

[PUSH RUN BUTTON!]

I wouldn't mind Neo Metal Fantasy.  I've barely touched it, but it's reasonably priced, and we do have a walkthrough.

It also has a pretty simple menu system with icons instead of characters.

[soop]

plus, if we give it a month for the playthrough, I think that's enough for most people.

We could have different threads for different chapters to prevent spoilers?  Let people progress at their own pace.

[Samurai Ghost]

Neo Metal Fantasy seems pretty cool. Reminds me of the Phantasy Star series which is my favorite RPG series of all time!

[termis]

I actually did like the last "club" (one that sunteam linked to) -- I was only a casual poster in that thread, but I enjoyed reading through everyone's thoughts.

But like some others with time constraints, I probably won't be touching Neo Metal Fantasy for some time due (even though I have it).  It'd be cool to read how others are progressing through a game, though.

Hell, I started Tengai Makyo Ziria about a year ago(!) and still haven't finished it.

[esteban]

That's my only concern about this.  I'd guess a lot of us are full time family people and gaming time is a precious rarity.  As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I'd love to give Kabuki Den ago, but I honestly can't commit a set number of hours right now to any game.  I feel lucky when I can sit down and spend half an hour or forty-five minutes on a game.  And I'll often go days, if not more, between those bursts.

Great idea; I'm too busy . Have fun. ;)

Sadly, this is why a JRPG is beyond me. I agree that fumbling through an RPG is a great idea for a group, but I simply don't have the time.

However, I would be willing to play other genres.

[soop]

Maybe we could do 2 at a time?

I mean I'd rather play a pick-up-and-go game, and Parasol Stars is something I've been meaning to play.  I originally bought it with the 2 player in mind, and like Bubble Bobble it's deceptively deep.  We were playing Bubble Bobble yesterday and discussing all the random things that happen - my friend was describing things he's seen happen once in 100's of games.

What would people think of an "arcade club" AND an "RPG club"?

[NecroPhile]

I'd play along with you guys, provided I have whatever titles ya pick.

[Samurai Ghost]

Seems like playing Parasol Stars would be completely pointless as far as the Japanese aspect goes though. I mean, is there even any text in that game other than Game Over? Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorite HuCards, especially with two players.

Not really into them myself but an idea would be to try and tackle one of the many war/strategy games for the PCE. There wouldn't be really any spoilers to worry about, but might be fun to see how far we could get into the games. I know I have about a dozen strategy games that I haven't even touched.

[Senshi]

+1 to Neo Metal Fantasy.

Lets just stick to one game though and good JRPG's that are inexpensive. In case someone doesn't have a copy it will be cheap to pick up. How about a poll there OP?

Real
Persistent
Gamers
Club

 

[soop]

Seems like playing Parasol Stars would be completely pointless as far as the Japanese aspect goes though. I mean, is there even any text in that game other than Game Over? Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorite HuCards, especially with two players.

Not really into them myself but an idea would be to try and tackle one of the many war/strategy games for the PCE. There wouldn't be really any spoilers to worry about, but might be fun to see how far we could get into the games. I know I have about a dozen strategy games that I haven't even touched.

Yeah, you're right about that.  But it might be quite nice perhaps to play something like that together, maybe get more out of it, or uncover an aspect of the game to make it more enjoyable.  It would be nice for those without the time or stomach to get through a long RPG.

[PunkCryborg]

I think we should have a group play through of Energy. Everyone has a copy it seams and nobody understands it or wtf to do in the game so it's perfect.

[Sadler]

I could do Xanadu 1. All the Tengai Makyo games are cheap as hell though. It would be worth the $15 or whatever for Manji Maru or Kabuki Den. They are both awesome. I know this because I've competed the first 3/4 of both of them before bailing out for some stupid reason.

I'm down for picking up any of the Tengai Makyo's, I've been wanting to play them anyway. I think we need a poll, if I don't own whatever game we decide on, I'm down to pick it up assuming it's not too pricey.

[esteban]

I think we should have a group play through of Energy. Everyone has a copy it seams and nobody understands it or wtf to do in the game so it's perfect.

Holy Shite, I think I am suddenly going to make the time for the Really Persistent Gangrene Club.

Energy it is!

[CrackTiger]

If you guys do end up playing Kabukiden, here's the latest version of my walkthrough which is mapped out right through the end-

https://www.superpcenginegrafx.net/misc/kabukiden.txt


The stuff near the end isn't cleaned up and formatted yet, but all the info is there.

The one on gamefaqs is maybe 40% of this one.

[RegalSin]

Howabout Kalleria via the net.

[roflmao]

If you guys do end up playing Kabukiden, here's the latest version of my walkthrough which is mapped out right through the end-
https://superpcenginegrafx.net/misc/kabukiden.txt
The stuff near the end isn't cleaned up and formatted yet, but all the info is there.
The one on gamefaqs is maybe 40% of this one.

Yep, that's the one I was referring to.  Amazing work, CrackTiger!