Name: Markies
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Age/DoB: 42/01-23-1982
Favorite Genre: Role Playing Games
Favorite Game: Final Fantasy X(PS2)
Likes: Video and Board Games, Music, Books
Playing: Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
Listening: A New World - Volume III
Reading: Kevin J. Anderson - Hidden Empire
Hello to all reading this,
I play games rather slowly because that is just my nature. I have a terrible combination of a fear of the unknown, extremely cautious and a full time job. So, if I don't update my 'Now Playing' for a few days, it is because I am currently grinding and not avoiding my games. That is just not possible.
I have several rules and guidelines that I follow on my Backloggery. It may be rather confusing and cumbersome, but I have made significant progress on my Backlog. I still enjoy my games, but I also limit myself to prevent too much.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy looking at my collection along with my gaming status.
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Mark's Backlogging Rules
Gaming Status
= Haven't Started Yet
= Have Played, But Not Yet Beat
= Seen Credits, But Still Have Things To Do
= Have Seen And Done Everything I Want
= Beaten The Game With a Difficult Handicap Or Speedrun
Memory Card = Always Positive Number
Wish List = Prequels, Sequels & Games that I want.
Next - Game In Series To Buy Next
(#) - How Many Games In Series
Later - Games In Series Down The Line
Ranking System
5 = I loved this game and it is the best!
4 = I like the game, but it is not perfect.
3 = I thought the game was okay, but it has some major flaws.
2 = I thought the game was passable, but it had way too many flaws.
1 = I really did not like the game at all.
Buying New Games = Get Fire Badge. Buy Next Game from the lowest
Console. If tie, choose console with largest total Wishlist. Start Over. If I ever get below 50 Total
, I go on a buying spree. If I ever get below 2
for one console, I will go on a buying spree for that console.
Now Playing
I will have 5 games on my Now Playing list. 1 active
&
game, 1
&
in wait, & 1 Monday
. I will play the Monday
while watching the Backloggery Streams on Monday. I will switch between the active
&
games every day and switch them out with the ones in waiting. For those 4 Games, I will have them be all from different systems.
New Year Cookie
On January 1st, I will use the Fortune Cookie on my Wishlist. I will purchase whichever Next Game that is pulled that is of a reasonable price. I will also add one Random
Game and one Random
Game to my Now Playing. I will play them after I finish the ones on my Now Playing and then I will continue my regular playing.
New Birthday Game
On my Birthday, January 23rd, I will purchase my Most Wanted game on my Wishlist.
Mark's Gaming Goals
1. Get Fire Badge
2. Get Master Of Unlocking Badge
3. Buy All Games On Wishlist For One Console
4.
a console
5.
a console
6. Buy and
all video games on Wishlist
7.
my entire collection
Backloggery Themes
Use the Banner for the colors to match the theme. Keep text all one color. Make background and foreground two different colors.
Banner = 776 X 300. Avatar = 100 X 100. (Use Postimage.org)
Right after college, I had a stack of Strategy RPG's that I used to play on the PS1 and PS2. These were long titles that I played for small bits between other titles. Well, one of the first games I ever played was Tactics Ogre as it was one of my introductory games to the SRPG genre. I only did one path and it always irked me that I never did the other paths. After I beat my Backlog, I started to play SRPGs while watching the Backloggery on Twitch on Monday evenings. They are perfect mindless grinding games that I can make a slow amount of progress. After starting in June of last year, I finally went through all of the paths and did all of the optional stuff to finally finish off Tactics Ogre.
Tactics Ogre should truly be lauded as a landmark title. It is not the first, but in a way, it is one of the most defining titles of the SRPG genre. The game basically laid the groundwork for Final Fantasy Tactics and influence so many games afterwards. The story involves a great deal of political intrigue along families feuding and nations warring. It is complex and gripping all at the same time. I always get lost in the story, but I still want to see what happens next. But, the meat of the game are the hundreds of strategy battles that you will partake in throughout your quest. They are deeply rewarding and laid the foundation for many games afterwards. That is what I spent most of my time doing and I loved that part so much.
It's a little sad that the grinding part was my favorite part near the end. The final part of the game can be such a chore to play through. Most battles, you are battling enemies who have a severe height and numbers advantage. Also, if any of your characters die, they are gone for good. Permanent Death. Take that and then some side quest battles near the end that are beyond frustrating and I was a bit happy to be finished with the game. Granted, grinding helps for some of the issues, but that does take quite a while.
Overall, I still respect and love Tactics Ogre. It can be a bit rough in many parts including some translation bits, but the game is such an important game and such a fun game to play. I wouldn't say doing all the side quests or doing all the paths is really necessary to get enjoyment out of the game. But, if you love the RPG genre or want to give the SRPG genre a try, this is a great one to try out!