Messages

[General Gaming / Re: Hotel Dusk on DS]

I honestly forget (it's been awhile).  I am amazed by my comment, but I also know that I wouldn't just pull that out of my ass.  As for the sketch effect, I think the only real proper way to do it is to print out individual frames, sketch them, and then redigitize them.  An easier method might be had with one o' them art pads that hook up to the computer.

Yeah, you're right, it does. You need to do it in the game to reset an electrical trip switch.

Sketching on paper would be good or onion skinning in Painter X with a graphics tablet.

[General Gaming / Re: Hotel Dusk on DS]

Sorry to bring this topic back from the dead but...

Wow, this game is great. I've finished it and, seriously, I can't be bothered playing any other games. They seem so dull by comparison. Maybe I'll fire up Side Arms Special and blast things later but I can't get motivated to play anything like Harvest Moon DS (is this game disappointing me because it's poor or because Hotel Dusk is so engaging?).

Joe, I don't know how you're making and editing your videos but you should be able to approximate a poor man's version of this in Corel Painter or Photoshop. Painter X has decent rotoscoping so you could try there. In Photoshop, messing around with Sketch>Photocopy should provide something a bit like it.

Best to resort to pencil, pen and paper but that'll take time.

Anyway, this isn't quite right but if you change the settings and mess around you might get somewhere. If you get something you like, you can automate it as an action.

Open your image in Photoshop
Select All (Apple A)
Copy (Apple C)
New image (Apple N) - set mode to lab colour
Paste (Apple V)
Open the Channels palette, click on lightness
Image>Mode>Greyscale - agree to flatten and discard others
Save as a PSD and go back to the original image

In the original image:
Duplicate the background layer and name it tone. Set blending mode to Screen
Filter>Artistic>Poster Edges - settings, 0,0,1
Filter>Artistic>Cutout - 4,3,2
Filter>Blur>Smart Blur - 6,80
Duplicate the background layer, name it colour and drag it to the top, set the blending mode to Colour
Filter>Noise>Dust and scratches - 10,0
Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation - 0,80,50
Duplicate the backround layer, name it lines and drag it to the top. Set blending to multiply
Image>Adjustments>Threshold 25
Filter>Stylise>Diffuse. Select anisotropic.
Duplicate the background layer, name it more lines and drag it to the top, set the blending mode to multiply
Press D to reset brush colours to black and white
Filter>Sketch Photocopy 12,15
Filter>Stylise>Diffuse. Select anisotropic.
Duplicate the background layer, name it even more lines and drag it to the top
Judgement call: set the blending mode to multiply or lighten (I'll show the difference below)
Filter>Sketch>Graphic Pen 15,90
Filter>Stylise>Diffuse. Select anisotropic.
Create a new layer and drag it to the top
Edit>Fill Contents: 50% grey. Normal. Opacity 100%. Don't tick the transp. box.
Filter>Sketch>Halftone Pattern 3,25, line
Filter>Distort>Displace 20,20, wrap around. After clicking OK browse to the PDF we made earlier
Filter>Blur>Gausian Blur 2
Image>Adjustments>Threshold 120
Filter>Stylise>Diffuse. Select anisotropic.
Set blending to multiply

Open the PSD
Select All, Copy

Switch back to the other image
Go to quick mask mode (press q)
Filter>Blur>Smart Blur 6,80 high quality, normal
Press q again to leave quick mask
Layer>Add layer mask>hide selection
Image>Adjustments>Threshold 215
Paste


I did this with a photo I took and the results are attached.

Results: Lighten on graphic pen first, then multiply

 

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB: Ys i & ii US]

What kind of sandwich?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Digital comics?]

Some helpful and interesting info there, thanks.

I was amused/interested to see reviews describing Hotel Dusk as a digital comic. I initially considered it to be an adventure game and thought the reviewers were simply being drawn in by the style of graphic art  and were probably too young to remember games like Yes, Prime Minister (http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/yesprimeminister.htm) or Shadowgate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowgate). Then I started to think about the PCE digital comics and guessed that they are, more or less, adventure games but likely developed in a different way—kind of analogous with how RPGs developed along separate but parallel lines in Asia on the one hand and America and Europe on the other. That said, there were a fair few French digital comics during the 1980s, particularly on the Amstrad CPC such as Blueberry (http://www.cpcgamereviews.com/b/index6.html) and Les Passagers du Vent (http://www.cpcgamereviews.com/p/index2.html).

I've been meaning to get JB Harold for some time so that's where I'll start. How do Sherlock Holmes 1 & 2 play? Any good?

I'll have a look at Ramna. Thanks.

SignOfZeta, you're quite right—I don't want to simply click icons and have no idea what the narrative is about.

Snatcher does look good but the chances of me getting a Sega CD are next to nothing. I've read a lot about the game on Hardcore Gaming and though it does look good, obviously the PCE version is not going to be any fun to me as I can't read Japanese. I'm managing Ys I&II but that doesn't require a lot of comprehension.

By the way, if anyone out there likes old-style text/graphical adventures, Ray Dunakin's games are very good: http://www.semitech.com/marc/ray.html

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Digital comics?]

I've been playing Hotel Dusk on the DS and love it. It's set me wondering if any PCE/TG digital comics are available in English? I'd like to play some on the old Duo.

[General Gaming / Re: Nintendo: you're a spastic]

(Ireland is an English speaking country, last I checked)

More or less, though cut-glass RP-speakers from Ingerland might have a few problems—if they still exist, that is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiberno-English

Is mise le meas,
Ceann na ollphéist.

[General Gaming / Re: Nintendo: you're a spastic]

You know that's a really interesting point. Maybe they didn't mean to conjure up disability but were referring to muscular movements—literally reflexes.

FTR, at a guess I'd say that spastic is also used in Britain as a term of abuse, the news story just happens to be an Irish one.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Duo RX Questions]

Yes, it's region free.

It'll play CDs and CD+G. No idea about Kodak Photo CD but I doubt it.

Dracula X will cost you a lot of money. See here for games reviews: http://pcengine.co.uk

[General Gaming / Re: Nintendo: you're a spastic]

Hey, hey, I'm not saying they should have pulled it. I'm just surprised it got in there in the first place.

Spastic isn't just vernacular in Ireland, though.

What I'd really like to see the full sentence in its original context.

[General Gaming / Re: Nintendo: you're a spastic]

Yeah, I know. I'm just not sure how the word would go down—maybe worse, maybe better. It fell out of use at a time when spastic was still considered OK. It's making a reappearance as a result of the internet and some popular US TV shows, though.

[General Gaming / Re: Nintendo: you're a spastic]

Maybe it's "spastic".

Correct.

The word "retard" is not really in common use in Ireland. Spastic is verboten but people still know and use it.

[General Gaming / Nintendo: you're a spastic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6253688.stm

[General Gaming / Re: Best console for RPGs?]

Mega Drive added. I forgot about that.

TG isn't there for a reason. Feel free to vote for the Pippin or CD-i if you like but... er, yeah.

[General Gaming / Re: Turbo/PCE collection percentages]

100% PCE, but I've only started and do plan to get TG games including Ys I&II and JB Harold.

Hu Games: Bomberman, The Kung Fu, Dungeon Explorer, Out Live, Baseball, Tales of the Monster Path, 1943, Nectaris, Kato and Ken, Bikkuriman World and Necromancer.

CD games: Ys I&II, Classmates, Ultrabox 6 and Side Arms

I do have US Wii VC games, though: Bomberman 93 and Dragon's Curse. I didn't count those in my vote because they're emulated.

[General Gaming / Re: Best console for RPGs?]

Added, but I did leave it out for a reason—I'm not in any hurry to buy one. Mind you, I'm not in any hurry to buy anything so...

Anyway, I've been looking as SNES RPGs and there sure are a lot but I think the PCE Duo may have spoiled me a bit, particularly in the music area. What's a decent price to pay for a SNES? I suppose should get a US system as many of the RPGs don't seem to have been released in Europe. As usual.

Edit: Has anyone made a SNES emulator for the DS?

[General Gaming / Best console for RPGs?]

Having established that the PCE is not the best console for RPGs and action RPGs—in English—due to a dearth of translations (damn you TTI!) my next question is: what is?

Anything from the PS2 onward is disqualified—I'm only interested in old-ish stuff at this point.

So... vote and please add comments saying why.

All academic, by the way, I'm sticking with the PCE.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: RPGs In English]

I had Shadowgate on the Mac and, waaaayyy back, on the Atari ST. How does the TG version differ?

Edit: I agree with Seldane, it's not an RPG, it's an adventure game. I suppose it's an RPG in the sense that every game has you playing a role. Still, I'm not complaining, I like adventure games.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: RPGs In English]

My bad, I wasn't clear. Both kinds are fine by me. I'm struggling with Out Live and Necromancer looks like it would be pretty grim even if I could understand it.

Stretch how far? Stretch as far as Dragon's Curse or not quite that far?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: RPGs In English]

That's grim. What about Ys Books I & II and Ys III? If they don't count then I'm being unclear - it's those kinds of games I want. I'm currently playing Ys I & II in Japanese but would prefer to get it in English.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / RPGs In English]

Does anyone know of a complete list of TGCD RPGs? I have a PCE Duo so I can't play US HuCards but I'd still like to track down some CD games.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB: Ys i & ii US]

Bump.

No-one?

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB: Ys i & ii US]

Mais naturellement. Même une version Québécois serait bonne. J'ai la version japonaise mais, tristement, ne peux pas lire des Japonais.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / WTB: Ys i & ii US]

Title says it all. Anyone want to sell Ys i & ii, US version?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Translations]

Dead of the Brain, eep, another super-expensive PCE game!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Translations]

Right... I've now got my PCE Duo (thanks Rob) and am happily mucking around in YS I&II. I'll probably buy the US version of it, though.

I've been checking out the PC Engine Software bible and see there were quite a few RPGs produced on CD so here's the million dollar question: have any been translated?

Does anyone fancy pointing me at a place where I can get the translations and explaining exactly how one goes about patching the CD?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Duo 220v question]

Such as? Is there something I'd be likely to find at the local electronics store? http://www.peats.com

Perhaps this?:
http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/test_new/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=4724&sid=21&cid=168&scid=313

Has anyone else had problems with the Duo's rather chunky power port?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Duo 220v question]

That's sounds too hard to get.

What about these?

http://www.airlinktransformers.com/transformer/ja0100-100va-japanese-transformer.asp

Ireland uses the same massive plugs as the UK.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Duo 220v question]

I've just received my PCE Duo and have a power adapter question. My white PCE uses a simple AC/DC mains adapter stepdown (actually the same one I use for my router) but the Duo's power port has a wider central shaft and it won't fit. I bought a typical domestic one and tried it but none of the attachable heads will fit.

So, my question is: where should I go to get a power adapter for the Duo?

It came with the original Japanese 110v adapter so if I could get a travel plug that also included a stepdown (do such things exist?) I suppose that would work.

Any ideas?

[General Gaming / Re: Ys on IIGS]

I think you asked me in another thread what kind of development was happening for the //GS these days. The answer is.... everything! There is quite a bit happening on the hardware end. Go to this site: www.gse-reactive.com and go into the "Store" to see a bunch of recently developed hardware items. IDE controllers, compact flash drives, sound cards, memory, 1.4MB floppy controllers & drives, etc. There has been a brand-new Ethernet card produced by another party. On the software side, there are still games, OS extensions, utilities, you name it being created. Particularly interesting to me is a TCP/IP stack extension for the OS, combined with a new web serving application that allows you to use your //GS as a real, live webserver.

Sliding slightly off topic can you point me at some new games? I'm just curious and want to have a look.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Duo audio output?]

What audio output port(s) does the PCE Duo have? I want to connect my hi-fi speakers (bare wire) to it when it arrives.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Duo: too many pack-in games?]

I couldn't say it's true of Europe as a whole but I've always thought that some French games were quite similar to Japanese. I wonder if this is related to the positive French attitude to « bandes dessinée » (comics) and animation?

And then, more recently, there's this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_nouvelle_manga

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Duo: too many pack-in games?]

Funny thing is, there was a small Anime buzz in parts of Europe at the time. Akira got a cinematic release and two VHS releases (one double video in Japanese with subtitles and one awful dubbed version with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice actor). The British SNES magazine Super Play was very into RPGs and general Japanese stuff. And France, of course, has never treated comic books and animations as the pond scum of entertainment/arts. But when the SNES really took off a lot of that stuff died away. If I'm honest, the main reason I keep coming back to the PCE is to play Japanese stuff that didn't get a fair hearing in Europe, particularly RPGs.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Duo: too many pack-in games?]

 

Didn't those pack-ins come with the SMS-2?  The original model of SMS's came with that Safari Hunt, Hang On and the hidden maze game.  (I don't even remember playing that maze game to be honest. )  I think the first SMS systems had the Safari Hunt and Hang On games in a cart, and then they eventually got built in.

You're right. I got confused. That maze game was woeful.

[General Gaming / Re: Ys on IIGS]

You can get plenty of Apple IIGS games here:

http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/the_fairway/index.html

Including ICOM adventures that originated on the Mac (but in colour) and the Neuromancer adventure game. The Immortal is supposed to be good. Haven't played it myself.

[General Gaming / Re: Ys on IIGS]

Well, while I'm on the subject anyone who has a Mac OS 9 or Classic-compatible Mac (any 68020 up to PowerPC G5) should get the freeware CRPGs Mantra and Mantra II. Laughably primitive graphics, but good fun.

[General Gaming / Ys on IIGS]

I played Ancient Land of Ys a bit on the Apple IIGS a couple of years ago (funky music). Anyway, I've got it again and was wondering if it was the same game as the PCE CD version? I ask because I've just bought it for the PCE and won't bother with the IIGS version if it is.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Duo: too many pack-in games?]

My NES didn't come with a pack-in game. My SNES didn't come with a pack-in game. My Mega Drive didn't come with a pack-in game. The PS was certainly not the first console to be sold in this fantastic way. Down with pack-ins.

Really? Wow. My SNES came with Super Mario World and my friend's Super Famicom came with it too. The Mega Drive here came with Altered Beast, if I recall correctly. The SMS had two games built in, an Alex Kidd game and some kind of dreadful maze game.

Maybe it depends on the territory or the time of buying.

Why don't you like pack-ins? Do you think they're usually inferior games or is it because you want something that exactly matches your tastes?

[General Gaming / Re: Ultimate 2D console]

I had a SNES back in the day. I might buy one again someday. I never liked the MD, though I did want to play Magical Flying Hat Turbo Adventure. When it became Decapattack I wasn't so interested, which probably says more about me than the game.

I was a SMS. I threw one out about 8 months ago, like the idiot I am.

Has the Neo Geo not come down in price? Even for older B and C grade ones?

[General Gaming / Re: Ultimate 2D console]

I suppose lurking beneath the surface of my question is another question.

Should I buy a Neo Geo? Should I buy a Saturn?

I shouldn't be spending money right now so it'll be a while before I do, but, on balance, which is better (broad question, I know)? I already have a PC Engine, a PC Engine Duo, an N64 and a Wii. The Neo Geo is famed for its beat-'em-ups. I can't see me buying a lot of those—they're fun and all, but... I don't know.

Or should I just stick to the PCE/Duo? After all, I only have 15 PCE games (11 Hucard, 4 CD), about 6 N64 games, 2 Wii games and 5 VC games. There's still tonnes to find and play on the PCE.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo Duo: too many pack-in games?]

I wonder if there is a "Did NEC/TTI do ANYTHING right with the Turbo" thread.

I know something they did right: they made some great consoles and games.

Some interesting reactions to the thread. I can sort of see both points of view now.

I agree, pack-ins are needed. I wouldn't have bought the Wii if it didn't come with a game. On the other hand, I was dubious about Wii Sports—thankfully it turned out to be great.

I suspect pack-ins stopped with the PlayStation with Sony marketing it as all things to all people? In this situation you wouldn't want a "kiddie game" if you were 25 and your parents wouldn't want you playing GTA if you were 10. Am I right? I didn't pay much attention to the PS when it came out (too busy doing other things) and have no idea so this is just a guess.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: Mysterious Song: Release Is Pending]

I'd be no use to you as a beta tester but I would be happy to pre-order. Is there somewhere I can go to sign up?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: VC: Why TG-16 and not PCE in Europe?]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to bow out of this debate. It's not the place for it and I apologise for my part in creating and sustaining it.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Dragon's Curse/Adventure Island recommendation?]

Thanks guys. I have Dungeon Explorer but haven't really played it in any depth.

Ys I&II are coming with my Duo—I'll need to hunt down the translations.

Neutopia I & II I've played in emulation and am looking forward to. I might VC them rather than get the Japanese HuCards. I don't mind some Japanese text, but if there's an alternative I'll go for that instead.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Dragon's Curse/Adventure Island recommendation?]

Dynastic Hero is the "sequel" to those games. Finding the US version is expensive, but the Japanese version is pretty cheap, although I don't know how much Japanese text you'd have to wade through.

Happy enough. I used to play Actraiser on the Super Famicom. I wouldn't be willing to play a really deep adventure or RPG in Japanese, though.

Thanks. Anything else, maybe in a different series.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Dragon's Curse/Adventure Island recommendation?]

I've got Bikkuriman World on my PCE and love it. I've always loved it, even back when it was Wonder Boy in Monster Land....

Anyway, I've been playing Dragon's Curse on the Wii and it's solved two annoying issues in BM World: save games and more freedom of movement.

Does anyone have any suggestions for similarly light RPGs or platform/RPG combos that I can buy for the PCE? I've just bought a PCE Duo so CD games are an option. Sadly, US HuCards aren't.

Thanks.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Turbo Duo: too many pack-in games?]

I was just watching an old commercial and saw that the TD shipped with five games. Does anyone else think this was too many and that it would have contributed to stunting software sales?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: VC: Why TG-16 and not PCE in Europe?]

No, and I know nothing about the situation re Turks in the Balkans. Nor have I claimed to. You're putting words in my mouth talking about the Balkans and failure. My point was about the failures of the modern German state, not any Balkan state or its people. I was offering the German situation as an example of how to not handle immigration.

Germany's problem, however, is rooted in Germany using Turkish guest workers to do things on the cheap while failing to integrate the Turkish population properly into German life. This stuff is well-documented. It has nothing to do with Turkey and everything to do with Germany.

[General Gaming / Re: Why do we play old games]

I don't think that's strange though it may have been a bit unusual. I find it odd the the PS1 now qualifies as retro, though. I suppose it is, given it's no longer in production, but it's still been a pretty quick movement.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: VC: Why TG-16 and not PCE in Europe?]

What about Greece and the rest of the balkans fear of turks, what failures brought that on?

Thousands of years of history? What about the French?

Nevertheless, the German situation is distinct.

Good article on Turkey and the EU:
Taking it out on Turkey
The tortured discussion about the Turks joining the EU is a product of crises in the West more than the East.
http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CAD8A. htm

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: VC: Why TG-16 and not PCE in Europe?]

I didn't say it is. I said there is that perception. I also said that that was probably a prejudice in itself. In fact, there are a lot of Northern European prejudices about Southern Europe—even within countries, viz. Italy.

Also, are we talking at cross purposes here? I'm not talking about immigrants. I'm talking about their children.

Japan certainly has a reputation for racism, deserved or otherwise. At some points in its history it was one of the most xenophobic cultures on the face of the planet. Consider the Edo period. I have no idea if any of this still plays out today but I do know that there is a xenophobic right wing fringe that exerts political pressure beyond its numbers over issues like war memorials etc. There are also figures like Mishima in recent history.

Edit: And yes, the Japanese have been racist toward Koreans.