The real point?

[Bacon Deity]

Initially, the messaging system and the bloodstain system was a sick idea in my book. Now, after playing 50 hours... Why the hell should I care? I practically know every single nook and cranny of the game and whatnot. So why should I bother with the bloodstains and messages?

I mean, I can make a rebuttal to my own statement, but please offer your opinion too.

In the beginning, the bloodstains and messages did help me a lot. But after a certain point, you know where the enemies are, you know where the loot is and how to get it. I think there should be a cut off level for seeing messages, and bloodstains. BUT! I can see why messages can still be useful in high levels, such as leaving notes for nubs as well as leaving 9000 "I need help, please recommend this message," to get your heath back. But the latter would totally break the pacing of the game, if you stopped and recommended a bunch of the same messages. So, contrary to what I said earlier, I can still see some use in the message system, but just barely.

The bloodstain system is 100% pointless at a certain point except to roflmao. I mean, like I said before, you know where everything is, so enemies will most likely not surprise you or anything. I mean, this game doesn't have randomly spawning enemies and stuff, everyone is in the same place, all the time. Yes, it does help nubs their first or even second time through, but I found them kinda useless now unless I need a quick laugh. Like I saw this dude standing in front of a wall getting hit in the back by a grey skeleton, while the player was attacking said wall.

The white phantom deal though, I still like because I can see how many people are playing in the same section as me, and this can give me some clue to whether I can invade someone or someone may invade me! Also, it reassures me that I'm online!!! XD

[viGx2]

I see where your coming from they do tend to get annoying after a while. Especially when your trying to do an emote and your standing on a blood stain or message and your like wtf?...oh. It would be nice if you were givin the option to remove them but then again its one of the only ways to tell if your connected online other then the white phantoms. Maybe add the option on a NG+.

[Leventa]

How bout using your knowledge by leaving your own messages to help newbie players?

[Shimizoki]

yea.. and I personally just leave bogus messages because im bored. I have never left a message asking for help because I never get hit leaving me with piles and piles of herbs. I completly agree with bacon on the fact that in the begining it was nice... but the game seems almost too small now, I know where pretty much everything is and I dont care that you died by falling off a cliff, or that you died for that matter xD

[gather4212]

Totally agree with you.

[Balfor]

I dont care that you died by falling off a cliff, or that you died for that matter xD

yeah.....you just laugh at me when i die in a really random way. go go forgetting to unequip makoto and going to a xmb chatroom until i died.

[Shimizoki]

I dont care that you died by falling off a cliff, or that you died for that matter xD

yeah.....you just laugh at me when i die in a really random way. go go forgetting to unequip makoto and going to a xmb chatroom until i died.

Alright... so im going to say this with complete honesty.. I actually lol'd at that, actually I almost rofl'd. I swear that was the most hilarious thing I have seen since I started playing.

[Balfor]

it really seems that no matter what rpg i play, MMO or otherwise, i find the most random and amusing ways to die.

[HijiriOni]

It's funny but I allready said this in another thread.

Aside from "Being Unique" to this game, bloodstains and messages just clutter up areas, wreck details, and make me relize I'm standing on a bloodstain when I was trying to do something else with the button.

I didn't even need them when I first started, and most of the time I just thought "thanks for the obvious" or "How exactly did you get yourself killed to THAT"

The Bloodstain system might be a little cooler if at the exact moment of someones death "What Killed them" appeared in that faint apparition that other players appear with in your games.

Speaking of the apparitions has anyone else found them to just be annoying? I only notice 2 things from them, either there in my way making aiming with a bow difficult. Or a I see one run out from behind a corner and my trigger reflexes from playing to many FPS and Horror games kick in make me swing at it senselessly.

[Milesaru]

Dude what do you expect, the game does not have infinate possibilities and so if you learn all the dangers of the game your not going to need the bloodstains. If they DID help you at the start then they've done thier job haven't they. The bloodstains, clearly, are for people that are unsure of thier surrounds and don't know whats coming up. So congratulations you don't need them any more but other people do, stop your whining

[Shimizoki]

Speaking of the apparitions has anyone else found them to just be annoying? I only notice 2 things from them, either there in my way making aiming with a bow difficult. Or a I see one run out from behind a corner and my trigger reflexes from playing to many FPS and Horror games kick in make me swing at it senselessly.

While I havnt ever taken it to that extremem I have charged at them and swung just to freak them out... but I agree past day 1 they serve no purpose.

[Dominions]

The Bloodstain system might be a little cooler if at the exact moment of someones death "What Killed them" appeared in that faint apparition that other players appear with in your games.

I like the bloodstains. I don't go checking them all the time, but just realizing that there are still noobs out there falling off of every random cliff hoping to land somewhere with loot, dying to easy groups of enemies, getting chopped down by Ajudicator, etc.

Seeing what killed them would be neat, on the chance that it was an awesome black phantom backstab or something.

Speaking of the apparitions has anyone else found them to just be annoying? I only notice 2 things from them, either there in my way making aiming with a bow difficult. Or a I see one run out from behind a corner and my trigger reflexes from playing to many FPS and Horror games kick in make me swing at it senselessly.

If you're jumping at ghosts, they're doing something right.

[Shimizoki]

Speaking of the apparitions has anyone else found them to just be annoying? I only notice 2 things from them, either there in my way making aiming with a bow difficult. Or a I see one run out from behind a corner and my trigger reflexes from playing to many FPS and Horror games kick in make me swing at it senselessly.

If you're jumping at ghosts, they're doing something right.

That might have been part of the original idea was to add the ghosts as just another method to freak you out...

for me I jumped and almost screamed when I went in to kill miralda in body for and she was on the right (pwnt) then I went back in and turned right to fight her as a BP (she came at me from the left and scared the bejeezus out of me). Its a dark creepy game, I think D is right, if they are scaring you, they are doing it right.

[AgentZigzag]

I think of the messages and bloodstains as a realtime, dynamic (somewhat ambiguous) help system.

Asking what the point is is like asking "what's the point of a strategy guide". They aren't there for the people who don't need them.

As for the messages on the ground, I'm only 10 hours in and I rarely read them but if I am in a spot where the way ahead looks dangerous a message can offer a helpful hint, but if you know everything there is know about the game... just ignore them.

You don't ask "what's the point" when you see buses driving down the street just because you feel like walking do you?

[fff]

Haha, oh wow. Bacon deity, quit your bitching.

[Gamefanatic]

The only problem I have with messages is when people leave them in front of vendors and Archstones. Bogus messages are fun and even laughable at times, but the ones that get in the way of game progression are antagonistic.

I used the system alot early on, but agree that there should be an option to turn it off once you feel like you know the game inside and out. Complaining about it seems a bit odd as you surely understand that new people are playing all the time, and will make use of the messaging system.

[Bacon Deity]

Dude what do you expect, the game does not have infinate possibilities and so if you learn all the dangers of the game your not going to need the bloodstains. If they DID help you at the start then they've done thier job haven't they. The bloodstains, clearly, are for people that are unsure of thier surrounds and don't know whats coming up. So congratulations you don't need them any more but other people do, stop your whining

I think of the messages and bloodstains as a realtime, dynamic (somewhat ambiguous) help system.

Asking what the point is is like asking "what's the point of a strategy guide". They aren't there for the people who don't need them.

As for the messages on the ground, I'm only 10 hours in and I rarely read them but if I am in a spot where the way ahead looks dangerous a message can offer a helpful hint, but if you know everything there is know about the game... just ignore them.

You don't ask "what's the point" when you see buses driving down the street just because you feel like walking do you?

Haha, oh wow. Bacon deity, quit your bitching.

You dudes really need to focus. I was not bitching nor was I whining whatsoever. I asked, what is the point of messages and bloodstains for people who have played the game so many times that they have become obsolete?

Milesaru, dude, yes I don't need them anymore, and I know novices like ZigZag need them, but what I'm saying is for people who have played this game so long that they don't need them, what is the point for them! Focus, I ####ing gave an idea to have a cutoff point for advanced players NOT to see the messages or bloodstains, or to have an on/off switch. That doesn't mean that nubs won't see them anymore, pay attention.

ZigZag, that's the whole point I was describing, in the beginning the bloodstain and message system is great, like where you are right now, but after playing for 60 or so hours going through each world like 3 times now, it's ABSOLUTELY useless... Also, the thing about the bus was a horrific analogy to what I'm trying to discuss.

fff, you really never have anything worth while reading do you? Sorry for the personal attack, but what you said was completely uncalled for and was not really contributing to the topic whatsoever. I actually have a worthwhile argument while you complained that you can't go and kill players 100+ levels below you.

Gamefanatic, I also feel the same way, it does clutter things a bunch, and it does get annoying. But I don't think a bunch of people understood that bloodstains and messages are useless for advanced players. I never wanted to take the messages and bloodstains away from nubs...

[AgentZigzag]

the thing about the bus was a horrific analogy to what I'm trying to discuss.

Nope, i think you'll find its perfect. :D

I imagine I'll be agreeing with you when its me in your position. Although actually I think I'll still like the messages to be there, I like being reminded there are other people playing. Like when you see people's echoes run passed you. There's no point to them really - other than atmosphere.

My only complaint about the message system is that its not more flexible. I guess that the game wouldn't be very challenging if you could write:

"there's a knight ahead who'll kick your ass but you can lure him off the edge of the steps behind you and get and easy 2000 souls if your good enough"

[Karkarov]

There is no point for people who know the game inside and out. Except potentially the option to leave them where they will help people who don't know everything there is to know. I personally have one message with over 200 reccomendations on it so I know someone found it useful.

Personally I still find items here and there that are really in odd locations. Like I had beaten 1-3 at least I don't know 5-7 times and I found a treasure I never knew was there and never saw any message pointing it out. It wasn't some big item, you even get it somewhere else in the game, but it goes to show there are hard to find things or little tricks that even a vet can learn sometimes.

Anyway, if you don't like messages or bloodstains, just ignore them. But if you are like me and still like to try to assist new players use messages as a means to leave tips. Maybe 99-100 people won't care but as long as one person found it helpful it served it's purpose.

[Dominions]

I leave messages around the edges of this one pit in Latria that I fell into and died a couple of times. It's in a really dark spot on the first floor and I always forget about it.
That's what this is about.
Revenge.

[AgentZigzag]

I've only left one message in the game so far but I plan to leave more when I know some stuff.

I hope they expand the customisation abilities of it so I can write things like:
"Can you smell the bacon?"
"If you see a bacon deity... poke it with a spear!"
"Eat the pig - beware the bacon"

and other such fun things!

[DarrenHollywood]

They may lose their overwhelming helpfulness, but they are never without some uses. Here are some reasons that I hope they never go away, no matter my level.

I will never remember where all of the traps are in 4-1, the blood stains and messages will probably always help me out here.

I don't read the messages in 3-1, but by them just existing near the holes, I know where they are.

If I find something new during a NG+ it might be a message or bloodstain that helps me realize the jump is impossible and I have to go back.

Reminders for the many ambushes, hordes of enemies, and traps are always welcome for me. Even though I may not read the messages, just having it there and seeing it will jog my memory and then I treat lightly. So personally I will always want them, but there does seem like there should be an option for turning them off somewhere.

As for the blue phantoms, I want them there so that I know I'm online, and so to get an idea on if I can invade or summon.

[DeBurgo]

Well, yeah, all of what the OP says is true, but honestly the game is oblique enough to new players that I think they need all the help they can get. Also when you first start the game it adds a lot of atmosphere. Even the bloodstains that are just suicides from people trying to tweak their WT seem pretty cool at first.

There's a lot in the game that's only really satisfying on your first or second time through, but I'm completely fine with that. The game still has plenty of depth otherwise to keep me entertained, and I don't find these game mechanics that become unnecessary later on all that distracting.

Also seeing messages deliberately placed at the edge of platforms and stuff is still useful even in later playthroughs. Sometimes you're running through a level so quickly you just forget where the pitfalls and traps are.

[Shimizoki]

I've only left one message in the game so far but I plan to leave more when I know some stuff.

I hope they expand the customisation abilities of it so I can write things like:
"Can you smell the bacon?"
"If you see a bacon deity... poke it with a spear!"
"Eat the pig - beware the bacon"

and other such fun things!

Hero of the Day 0ct-29-09

[Bacon Deity]

Wow, #### you both... \=|

[Shimizoki]

Its ok bacon, I still love you... you know... and since I love bacon... its only fair that I appreciate the bacon god.

I mean check out my avatar... I love bacon

[AgentZigzag]

Wow, #### you both... \=|

Only joking with you dude.

I'm all in favour of anyone who cares enough about a game to get worked up about things they don't like in it.

I think the state of gaming today would be much improved if the vast majority of game-players weren't just sheep who accept whatever purile dribble is pumped into their addled minds and don't the question "why is this like this?" EVER.

Boils my blood that so many 10/10 reviews have been shoved out for Uncharted 2 which despite obvious good points contains no original ideas at all. We moan about not getting more original and innovative games and then heap praise on the ones that do the same thing everyone else has already done just a little bit better.

Sorry, went off on a tangent then... rant over.

[Karkarov]

Boils my blood that so many 10/10 reviews have been shoved out for Uncharted 2 which despite obvious good points contains no original ideas at all. We moan about not getting more original and innovative games and then heap praise on the ones that do the same thing everyone else has already done just a little bit better.

What are you talking about? The only thing it did better than it's predecessors was the graphics.

[HijiriOni]

Never said the ghosts scared me, said my trigger reflexes from to many FPS and Horror games work.

That whole "If it moves shoot it" philosphy
Followed with "If it isn't moving shoot it anyway, if it blows up or dies...it was bad"

But I've found offline mode to be much more enjoyable as the details aren't as cluttered up, and my ps3s processors are being used for something more productive then animating bloodstains, written messages, and ghosts that aren't actually contributing to my gameplay.

[Tyroie]

Hey Hijiri! I'm the guy you traded ores with at the start of 1-4. I just found these forums. Woo!

I loved the bloodstains and messages so much when I first went through the game that I really don't mind that they're pointless to me now. I like being online anyway for the chance to meet black and blue phantoms anyway. I've only had a single bloodstain ever be in an inconvenient spot. That all said, I could see an option to disable them to be a good idea.

I still like to set down a message wherever I see a chance though. I think I had a message set up for just about every pitfall at 3-1 at one point - people seem to love recommending those messages...

[Ilikemyname]

I still like to view the odd bloodstain some of them are still funny. Messages on the other hand I feel should be limited to: "Use pole weapons on next enemy", "Thrust attack" and "Sticky White Stuff"....but that's just because of my immature sense of humor :D .

[HijiriOni]

Hey Hijiri! I'm the guy you traded ores with at the start of 1-4. I just found these forums. Woo!

I loved the bloodstains and messages so much when I first went through the game that I really don't mind that they're pointless to me now. I like being online anyway for the chance to meet black and blue phantoms anyway. I've only had a single bloodstain ever be in an inconvenient spot. That all said, I could see an option to disable them to be a good idea.

I still like to set down a message wherever I see a chance though. I think I had a message set up for just about every pitfall at 3-1 at one point - people seem to love recommending those messages...

Traded ores with at 1-4? Can't recall that...I remember giving some ores away to people though...got PSN that I might remember better?

[Tyroie]

Traded ores with at 1-4? Can't recall that...I remember giving some ores away to people though...got PSN that I might remember better?

The PSN is CelestialBovine. My character's name is Tyroie - I guess that must not show up to other players. I should have guessed it works that way.

[Taychon]

i think the bloodstains and messages are awesome cause they saved my ass a #### ton of times

[HijiriOni]

Aww, I didn't give you ores haha, I gave you spices cause you we're reviving everyone. Yeah I remember now.

Yeah it's kinda dumb that character name doesn't show up and the PSN does.

Another point for the games multiplayer being self-defeating. "We wanted you to have a certain degree of anonimity from people you play with"...giving me their PSN name and having that listed under "Players Met" doesn't exactly maintain any anonimity

[ladyvajedi]

I see your point Bacon. I think that a choice to turn off the messages for each player would be nice. If a high level player wants them off let him or her turn them off.

[Leventa]

Why do people keep expecting Atlus or FROM to be able to change things in the game past the point of release? Atlus is just the publisher at this point, and FROM has moved on to 3D Dot Heroes.

Give it a rest. Nobody promised you anything other than what you got. If your biggest complaint about the game is, "Baaaaw, the mean red glowy things on the ground distract me and keep me from emoting on top of them baaaaw" then overall, you're pretty lucky.

[Fatney]

I'm glad they have bloodstains and messages, even though I rarely need it. With them, I know that there are other people out there playing the game, which makes one of the loneliest games ever feel like one of the least lonely games ever.

[Shimizoki]

I'm glad they have bloodstains and messages, even though I rarely need it. With them, I know that there are other people out there playing the game, which makes one of the loneliest games ever feel like one of the least lonely games ever.

thats how I felt at first, but now I drop down my soul sign every time I walk into an area and I very rarely am playing solo anymore.

[Tyroie]

Yup that's me! You gave me both spices and ores, I remember - You gave me 4 chunks of sharpstone so that I could get my winged spear to +10. I was joking with my friends that I managed to use resurrect in order to upgrade my spear, so it was my favorite spell, haha.

[GuyIncognito]

I usually click on the blood stains for morbid laughs. The deaths usually look very pitiful. Also, you should put the sticky white stuff message in front of all female NPCs.

[Jaikaro]

The blood stains are great. The best ones are the guys that turn the corner in 4-2 where the gold skeletons are, and you can tell they have an "OH SH-" moment as they get ran down.