I’m still stuck on that bloody 500m level. I’ve tried with Susumu and Puchi, and have managed to get to 476m today, but then I die. My problem, is that I can’t figure out how to get air that is surrounded by blocks you can’t dig (well, you can dig them, but you lose air doing so). More practice required, I suspect.
Still sticking with it, despite the problems I’m having with the controls. Have I mentioned the problems with the controls? They’re awful. Rescued Mario, which has improved things a little. Yoshi just doesn’t feel “right” for the game. I’ve now got 16 Stars, and so went and had a crack at the first Bowser boss. Not that I could even reach him, as the terrible controls make the tricky platform section before him bloody hard. Grr!
No, not 64DS, the proper one. I went back to this for a bit today just to make sure my brain wasn’t deceiving me, and well, I was mostly right. The graphics are not as good as I recall, but they’re still better than the DS version. The controls are spot-on too. If only the DS had an analogue stick of some kind…
Oh dear, Nintendo. What have you done? Mario 64 was one of the best games ever created. Better in many ways than Mario Sunshine, even. But this DS port is awful – ruined almost entirely by the dreadful controls. The digital pad is no good for the tight turns and run-speed control required, and the touch screen isn’t responsive enough and awkward to use. Played it for a good two hours today, and it hasn’t “clicked” yet. I have 8 …
Had another few goes on this today. It still isn’t much easier! Managed to complete 500m, but only because I bought a “one hit shield” item. Having said that, I had a life spare at the bottom so I could have done it. Unlocked Puchi as a result, and completed 300m with him. Also had a go at Pressure Driller mode, which is even more frantic than Mission Driller. Managed to defeat the 200 ton baddie, and nearly got past …
But it’s not over yet! I finished the cave with the nasty thing on rollers, which was much easier in the end than it seemed. Got a few treasures in there, but not many. I then went back to one of the first caves I’d done, but not got everything in – Hole of Beasts – and completed it. The amount of treasure I got from there was enough to finish the game! However, after that, you can carry on …
Finished up the cave I was in previously, defeating some Breadbugs (which were quite bizarre), and gathering a load more treasure. I have 91% of the debt repaid now. Wandered round Perplexing Pool for a bit, getting more berries and worked my way to another cave, which was in the water. Now, it says at the cave entrance, that I need some of each type of Pikmin, but that clearly isn’t possible as only Blues can get to the cave. …
Made a proper start on this DS game today, only to find it really hard. I think I must be missing some gameplay mechanic, as I can’t even do the 500m level, let alone the harder ones! I never was very good at the older Mr Driller games either. Haven’t tried Pressure Mode yet, but that seems like it’ll be even HARDER.
Servers are back up, and I’ve just done a bit more Subway-teaming with two other people. Unfortunately, they were not nearly as good as last night’s team, being unable to heal, and dying on me when confronted with an Infector. Tch. At least I got up to Level 15 now, which makes me a “Devotee”, apparently.
Wandered down to the Subway for a bit, and killed assorted Stim Fiends and Filth Fleas to get a bit of money and XP. Ran over to Old Athen to have a look round, but saw nothing of great interest. Came back to West Athen and bought myself a belt in the shop. I added some Morphing Memory to it, and now I can do more of the things I don’t currently do. Or something. Had to finish up early …
Did some more subway teaming today. Delved very deep into some odd looking place, along with four others, all Level 10 to 14. After an hour or so of killing frighteningly hard baddies (which were much easier teamed!), I was up to Level 14 myself. Said my goodbyes and left then. Got to try that again soon, though – it’s the best way to level up, as you don’t need to worry about healing with doctors on your team.
Yay! Up another level today. And I found a decent second weapon, so I have one in each hand. Killed a few more Shadows today too, as they’re a bit easier to bump off now I am TEH 1337 POWAHOUZ. Or not. I joined my first team as well, and went deep into the subway until we got attacked by nasty poisonous thingies. Then my team mates ran away like cowards, leaving me to kill them myself. Which I couldn’t …
Just had a quick go, working my way to one of the caves at the back of Perplexing Pool, and grabbing some treasure on the way. Got into a cave, seemingly set in a toy room. I’ve done three sub-levels so far, and it seems very easy. There’s not a lot of treasure to be had yet either.
Went back to Perplexing Pool today, and drained a large area of the level. This also provided access to another dungeon, which I went on to complete. There was a boss at the end (as usual) who was tricky to kill (again) until the method of doing so was found. That he was easy. After that, I wandered around Perplexing Pool for a bit, and then got attacked by loads of huge baddies (including the giant spider thing from another …
Went back to this for an hour or so, and managed to gain another level. Still not powered up enough for my new axe, but slowly getting there. Made a fair bit of money (for someone on level 11!) too, and did a far-too-easy mission.