SleepingSilence

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

Sony failing to bring back ‘Stars’ during a sales event, is the biggest fuck you to your playerbase and business failure that I can imagine a company having. (Outside of what Microsoft is already doing.) And it low-key pisses me off. Even if I wasn’t one of the poor fools who chose to hoard points that they’ll likely never get to spend now.

But I digress.

---

I bought seventeen games (and downloaded another free one) on Steam. And I spent my remaining PSN wallet on another game for my PS5, after I finished Elden Ring & Shadow of the Erdtree. (Likely the last thing that I’ll buy on my PS5 for a while.)

So I should have enough to keep me busy…

(Now onto a few reviews…)

Elden Ring: This game felt like it would never end, for better or worse. Since I had already spent 120+ hours to reach Crumbling Farum Muzala & then proceeded to spend many more hours beating numerous hidden dungeons, entire side areas that I neglected to find, and defeating every optional boss that I missed after defeating the Elden Beast. (Just a day before they finally provided a patch to add Torrent into the fight.) And as many valid complaints as one might have with this game, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience. One that I might still play in order to help other friends through it.

Shadow Of The Erdtree: I have complicated feelings with this DLC. Since the patches themselves seemed to specifically screw me/my playstyle over at every given opportunity. (By nerfing every single thing that I was using.) But I think both the haters and fanatics are judging this game’s DLC unfairly in either direction. Because I don’t think you can honestly say this was a “10/10 Elden Ring, but better with less filler.” Nor, a “A worse in every way, harder Elden Ring that improved nothing.”

Because I think the visual presentation and level design is some of the best in the game. And the side dungeon content (those lava and ice dungeons) might be some of the worst new additions. (Among all the other pros and cons that I won’t mention for brevity's sake.) But I’d say the content was solid overall. (Even if the characters pulled the same shit they did in Lords Of The Fallen, and it made me hate them all. And I only beat the final boss with a cheese strat that they patched out mere hours later. #NoRegrets.)

The First Descendant: “Hey Destiny 2. Can I copy all your homework and then have people claim I play anything like Warframe?” “Sure, but don’t make it too obvious.”

The WereCleaner: One of the few games that I wished I could’ve paid something for. Good humor and smooth gameplay, that was worth an hour of my time.

Rusty Lake, Roots: Paradise was better. The narrative in this one was a bit more straightforward, perhaps. But I don’t think the obscure puzzle game gets better with a simpler narrative.

Duck Detective, The Secret Salami: Amusing. But I don’t think it did the best job explaining/justifying its logic. (And it’s also pretty short.)

Hob: I'm still playing this. But it doesn't feel particularly engaging. Since the combat is pretty barebones, the platforming isn't precise, and it's challenge through cheap obscurity isn't doing the game any favors. Since its needless backtracking doesn't really reward me with much...

What Are You Listening To?

Spotify has been useless with recommendations lately. But Chosic's 'similar song finder' found me a dozen or so decent tracks in a row. So maybe I need to use it more. (Because finding new music has been a pain in the ass.)

I found myself a band that's so close to giving me "The Dear Hunter" vibes. That I might actually sit and listen to a few albums. (And I haven't done that in a while.)

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

‘Blood Spear', ‘Boomeroad’, ‘Gravitas’ & ‘Sheepy: A Short Adventure’ were the best vertical slices of games that I wished were longer. But at least I found a few decent experiences during my housesitting venture. (Would’ve probably liked ‘Grimm’s Hollow’ too, if a bug didn’t reset one of my character’s most important stats.)

But in the absence of other good media, my efforts to find the next game that I enjoy enough to sink time into hasn’t been successful. Though I’m still trying.

---

Talisman: A game I’ve now wasted my money on twice. (At least it was cheap both times.) Friends all got this game on PS5 this time around, and no one liked it enough to finish a full match. (It also supposedly corrupted one of my friend’s PS5 and prevented him from redownloading it.) And the AI is such a cheating bastard.

Grounded: I can’t imagine playing this on my own. But it’s probably meant to be enjoyed in a group, and I suppose it’s about as fun as anything is with friends. Though the fact that this game has the option to completely customize/vastly improve the experience, just to punish you by removing achievements, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Monster Hunter World (Iceborne): I’ve realized that Monster Hunter World is only as fun as the people who tag along. Because loot isn’t shared, your resources that you spend an hour trying to collect can disappear (both after death and just before you kill them), and there’s a limit on what you can really “do as a team”. Also, certain environments and “knockback” attacks can affect your teammates in ways that break combat flow. So combine that with the inability to follow the story/join games during unskippable cutscenes, and it’s not all that enjoyable to play in a bad/uncooperative group. (Also, it might be just me, but I remember the monsters fighting each other a lot more often in my first attempted playthrough. As opposed to now always choosing to go after the player characters instead.) In conclusion: I spent $15 on a shitty grapple hook.

Laika Aged Through Blood: It looks great, and I really wanted to like this. But the PS5 controller lacked the ability to use the map or go into the inventory screen. Which feels like a massive oversight. So I had to keep setting the controller down, to see where the hell I was going. (Not very helpful for building immersion.)

But more importantly, the cripplingly punishing mechanics of dying in one hit and losing half your resources, do NOT mesh well with this movement system. Nor does its “Grace Mode” seem to change how easily you can inexplicably flip over and crush your own head in, while biking across completely flat surfaces. (So I might give this another try with a mouse and keyboard setup, when I’m in the mood. But it’s getting shelved for now.)

---

For some ungodly reason, I got Pathologic 2. And I downloaded Dredge, since it was on Extra. So those will likely be the next games that I attempt to play. (Then maybe I’ll go back to other games that I stopped playing, if neither of them manage to capture my interest.)

Otherwise, I’m holding off on buying anything else, in hopes that the Steam Summer Sale will healthily trim down my wishlisted games.

Edit:
>Play Dredge and realize it's a few dull minigames that remind me of when I tried Skull & Bones and was forced to chop trees down.
>Pathologic 2's in media res makes absolutely no fucking sense, if you don't know the original story. (And even then, it's borderline difficult to parse.) And after watching 3-4 NPC's running into walls, my ass got stuck in the terrain between a fence and a rock, while trying to find the door to a house. Effectively making me restart my whole run already. Quality port Sony!

The Wild Beyond Witchlight

@Dark Cloud had IRL drama that has been dealt with (that kept him from getting online) & he's working on getting things sorted before he returns.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Dark Cloud had IRL drama that has been dealt with (that kept him from getting online) & he's working on getting things sorted before he returns.

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

@BrokenPromise Sure. I think the "free-to-play" model can dodge a lot of legitimate criticisms under the guise of "being free". (Especially in regards to certain monetary practices.) But the actual free game is a nostalgic reminder of the endless flash game library that kids everywhere enjoyed. (Opposed to the mobile game market nowadays, where the kids spend thousands of dollars on their parents' credit card.) And I much prefer the former.

Plus, I think the point is to give the developers free and vital feedback on their design, and "exposure" through word of mouth. So when the current triple-A market and it's defenders argue that games need to be more expensive. Pointing to the variety of (free) indies that I'd rather play instead of their overproduced slop, is an ever-growing counterpoint.

Also, I'd actually disagree with the "free means lack of polish" argument. Because I've had less bugs and issues with free games as opposed to shovelware/cheap indies/early access games that expect money upfront. (Though short duration is usually valid & I think "being left wanting more" isn't a bug. But the point of "prototype/game jam" games.)

And I'll certainly give that list a look.

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

For anyone whose bored and needs a game to play. (As someone whose played and very much enjoyed at least one of these games. That being Bloody Hell.)



100% Orange Juice (A 'Mario party-ish' board game.) & Endless Legend (a 4X Strategy) are also free right now on Steam.

And Indigo Park: Chapter 1 (Indie horror) was released on Steam for free.

So I suddenly have more things to play. (Time will tell if I actually like any of them. But Steam games have a better track record of enjoyment, compared to Itch.io games that I've tried.)

---

But because I spilled shit all over my keyboard and had it non-functional for weeks. I haven't been on my PC/Steam much. So I played a few games on my PS5 instead.

Animal Well: Unlike Rain World & Outer Wilds, this game's controls were made by someone who actually plays video games. More challenging than I originally thought it was going to be. But it's a genuinely good game that ends well. And it still had plenty of optional content/secrets to find. (With "boss fights" being it's weakest and most frustrating element.) Not quite the masterpiece "Tunic" is, but few things are. And it's probably the strongest of the three games I'm 'reviewing'.

Worldless: This one hurts a bit, because the "mid-game" is downright impressive. It has a dual character movement/combat system that forces you to switch them on the fly & it's turn-based combat system is quite a challenge. Plus, like Animal Well, it's very nice to look at in places. But this games' challenge through obscurity/trial-and-error never really "clicked" with me. (As the necessary parry mechanic/certain movement abilities felt way too inconsistent for how precise you needed to be.) And unfortunately, it's ending is downright terrible. (Whoever thought it was a good idea to end your game on a "supposed to lose" boss fight is beyond me.)

Chants Of Sennaar: Another good puzzle game that I enjoyed for the most part. It's obviously rushed final level aside. Especially how it's good ending/optional content directly changes old parts of the world to make you feel like you're improving it. (But it was clearly made for PC's/mouse movement. Because doing the optional content/it's numerous "stealth" sections on a controller were a tedious endeavor.)

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

As I said in this very thread, the Microsoft buyouts proved to be nothing but bad news. And Microsoft is only making more terrible decisions, after dropping four entire studios. To the point where I can't buy and play Hi-Fi Rush now, knowing that money isn't going to anyone but Microsoft. Plus, everyone's already calling out Hellblade 2 doing poorly and Microsoft giving them the axe next. Regardless of my opinion of that walking simulator that natters on in your ear. It was a "double-A" darling for others, and I've seen basically no promotion of it's sequel.

And Sony is continuing the stupid PSN crusade and just removed access for Ghosts of Tsushima in the same countries as Helldivers 2. (Doubt that will be the last of them either.)

Take Two also fired six hundred employees/two studios and cancelled most of it's projects too. (Among all the other bigger studios cancelling games like Square-Enix.)

So I think the only piece of good news that I've seen in the gaming sphere is how well several indies are being received. Animal Well / VideoGameDunkey being the funniest. Because while he hasn't actually made anything funny on Youtube in years, he still pisses off all the right people AND it looks like I might get another good Metriodvania to play. (The thing is even on Playstation Extra.) So I'll take the wins that I can get.

---

I think its fucking infuriating, but I'm glad they backed down on their decision to need a PSN account on PC for Helldivers 2

@Dark Cloud

Note that the game was still removed from 177 countries that originally had access. And I doubt every single user that bought the game in those places, were able to get it properly refunded.

---

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

Lords Of The Fallen is the best defense for Dark Souls 2 that you’ll find. In that, every complaint against DS2 (held by others and myself) is done so much worse in Lords Of The Fallen. How often the game’s difficulty relies on ambush mob spam, the retarded AI of those enemies, the dodgy platforming sections, how enemies constantly hit you through the walls & yours bounce off them, bad large enemy hitboxes, camera issues in cramped spaces, levels designed to cheat you with cheap kills, bosses being boring or easy to exploit, the list goes on and on.

Though the best parts of Lords Of The Fallen (like its armor customization, the way it utilizes throwables and spell-casting, or its laggy co-op) could be easily improved themselves. And only make you wish it was all in a better game.

Also making all the characters purposefully antagonistic and unlikable was a bizarre decision for worldbuilding/immersion. Since Dark Souls does so well at making you care about the tragedy of their characters. (Even Remnant and other games with bad stories didn’t fuck that part up.)

Plus the end game is (by far) the worst part of any souls game that I’ve played. (A million patches later, and the amount of times I died by getting stuck within/falling through the terrain was absolutely absurd.) These devs obviously did not play Dark Souls…and I’m not even sure they play many video games either...

Wonderboy ‘The Dragon Trap’: Decided to play the first game after its sequel turned out to be a surprisingly challenging and fun affair. So while it’s a great redesign of a retro games’ music and visuals, the gameplay is clunky and not very enjoyable to endlessly repeat.

Yoku's Island Express: Tons of charm in its art design and worldbuilding. But the checkpoint save system was a bad idea. (Like it is in basically every game that uses it.) Since a glitch that got my character stuck inside thorns, made me lose an hour of progress when I had to restart the game. (Maybe I’ll revisit the game later.)

Alien Isolation: This game doesn’t like me. (And a select group that I’ve seen complain about the very same issue.) But the camera auto-drifts to the left to the point of being unplayable for me. (And no other game that I tried would drift like this. So it’s not my controller, and turning down the in-game sensitivity didn’t fix anything.)

Gnosia: I’m glad I gave this one a chance. ‘’Single-player Among Us’’ slaps and scratches the “it makes me feel smart” that the best deductive games should. (Soundtrack is pretty solid too.) Though it might be a little too obtuse for its own good on how to progress the story. The game is a perfect one to play in small bursts. So I’ll definitely be playing more of this.

---

Edit: Sony has now actively sabotaged three games in under a week. Two being it's most talked about/buzzed games that it had on the platform. Fucking astounding.

If only Nintendo wasn't actively doing the very same thing.

Video Games: The General Discussion & Community Thread Number Two

@BrokenPromise Heh. Well it's better and borderline way too easy with friends. Just wished I would've played with friends from the beginning. (Instead of completing it solo first.) Though I really should finish Elden Ring for the DLC.

What are some deck builders that you've played?

I've certainly played more card games than roguelike deck builders. But, Deep Sky Derelicts, Slay The Spire and Hand Of Fate (all have deck building elements.) And I very briefly tried Roguebook recently. Do not recommend.

Welcome to roguelite/like games, enjoy your stay.

You're not wrong. The problem is, I usually don't enjoy how Roguelike's keep you trapped in the same gameplay loop through RNG and incredibly slow progression. (If Dead Cells wasn't a roguelike. It probably could've turned into one of my favorite games.)

My third eye has opened.

Well finding nerds and cute animal pictures is about all Reddit is good for. So take advantage of what you have.

The cards you unlock in the puzzle box are largely irrelevant for progression, and more are added to the current game and can be found again in later runs. The talking cards (and items for getting the talking cards) will always be in your hand on a fresh run and are the only thing that's essential for progression. You'd know that if you played more than a handful of runs. But it doesn't sound like you enjoyed it, so you probably shouldn't. I'd find a nice Metriodvania to snuggle up to, or something in the vein of "Dust: An Elysian Tail."

I've played that one already.

Dust An Elysian Tail: It was a decent experience. Despite having an easily exploitable combat system, and a story that wasn’t particularly engaging. This felt nice to complete after it kept crashing on my PS4. (Though the f*cker still hard crashed on me after a near end game cutscene, and nearly soft-locked me when it respawned me inside of the floor.)

Though Metriodvanias are certainly more in line with my tastes. I'm sure backtracking can annoy some. But at least there's always something being accomplished. (At least in good ones.)

But I understand that the game is purposefully wasting your time in the early game. (Since you *can't* solve everything in the cabin right away, the game doesn't let you.) So worrying about losing and winning a run isn't really the point. More so than "experiencing the narrative". I just don't find that concept terribly appealing. (But maybe the mods you played it with, make the actual deckbuilding part more substantive.)

I think Inscryption has plenty of elements that help it stand out. (That ARG puzzle sh*t that it included, certainly helped market it through FOMO.) But you can experience it's art style and music (its general aesthetics that make it unique) in a Let's Play. Least in my two cents.

How many deck builders (or meta games) have you played / how would Inscryption rank amongst them?