Mike

Dark Void

My Guilty Pleasure would be Dark Void. It was a new Capcom franchise that was an over the shoulder TPS introducing a unique jetpack mechanic that allowed you to swap to a super fast jetpack with the push of a button. This was really cool, as it allowed you to switch instantly from ground combat to aerial combat instantly. However, if you used your jetpack in an area with a roof over your head, you would end up splattered on the ceiling or walls.

But other than the jetpack, the mechanics didn't do much to separate themselves from other TPSs like Gears or Uncharted, and that, along with a slew of bugs and and a rather "meh" story, and the game failed to impress. It really reeked of an unfinished game, similar to Sonic 2006. It's a shame, because it would've been fun to see it emerge as a new franchise.

The game itself has a lot of intense moments and emergent gameplay, which is what makes it pretty fun to play in my book. For example, you could plant a bomb inside of a building, and activate your jetpack, weave through various horizontal obstacles, and escape out the opening in the ceiling like something out of an action movie. That's not to mention that the melee finishers, although drawn out, look awesome. There's a lot wrong with it, but it's still pretty fun to play, and I guess that's what matters

Kam

Vanguard Princess

I don't think there should ever be a time when someone should feel guilty about liking something. Maybe how they like something, but as long as they don't hurt others/are nice about it, there's really nothing to feel guilty about.

All that aside, creepy pedo fighting games are really hard to like.

Now, I don't know if I like Vanguard Princess due to the fact that it's a good fighting game; or if I just respect the amount of work put into it. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Not only is it free to play, but one person made this game. Dear god, in some ways the ways it outclasses big name fighting games. Each of the characters are well balanced, fantastically animated, (the creator is supposedly an ex Capcom animator that worked on the phonemically animated Street Fighter III games) and have some of the best sprite work post Vampire Savior. Not to mention, an amazing use of color and a catchy soundtrack.

And unlike other indie fighting games, it doesn't play like a typical Guilty Gear/Melty Blood clone, it plays like Street Fighter II with assists. Space control and lockdown win over modern combo fury. Even among the big name fighting games, It's a breath of fresh air.

So, as a game, it's good, but what holds me back from truly loving it is the aesthetics. Dear god, I think the only other fighting game as obsessed with breasts and panties is Dead or Alive. And the character voices? Uuuuugh. My ears don't need an ice pick in them thank you very much.

That's what makes me consider it a guilty pleasure. Like I said, as a game I consider it good, maybe even great, but the graphics and the ugh, “moe” shit revile me.

Actually, here's a better way to look at my relationship to Vanguard Princess.

You know that popular asshole character in a kids cartoon who is friends with the (usually loser) main character for an episode, but as soon as the other popular kids are around, that character immediately treats the loser main character like garbage; thus main character learns that's not true friendship?

That's my relationship with Vanguard Princess. I love the game, but I can't stand to let people know I like it/ want to be seen around it. Hell, I even take precautionary measures when I have nothing to do on campus, like hiding in a corner with the volume muted.

In other words: I'm that popular asshole kid.

I'm sorry Vanguard Princess, it's me, not you.