Multi Watcha playing?

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Just passed 60 hours on Metaphor: Refantazio and I don't have anyone to talk about this game with really but so far, it might be the best RPG I've played since PS1... I just played 6 hours today and most of it was cut scenes... This is my perfect RPG. It's so balanced, fun, the story is awesome, the pacing is even better, and the battle system is so refined turn based.

I don't want it to end but it just keeps pushing you forward. It's a 94 on metacritic and that feels low to me right now.

I played amazing RPGs this year, P3, Infinite wealth, FF16. This blows them all away.

 

[Andy]

All of those are great options which I'm sure you won't regret. Is there any particular genre you want recommendations for?

Basically the exclusives. I’ve had an Xbox with game pass for years so I’ve played a lot of the non-exclusives. Remember enjoying jak and daxter on the PS2!

 

[Andy]

Just passed 60 hours on Metaphor: Refantazio and I don't have anyone to talk about this game with really but so far, it might be the best RPG I've played since PS1... I just played 6 hours today and most of it was cut scenes... This is my perfect RPG. It's so balanced, fun, the story is awesome, the pacing is even better, and the battle system is so refined turn based.

I don't want it to end but it just keeps pushing you forward. It's a 94 on metacritic and that feels low to me right now.

I played amazing RPGs this year, P3, Infinite wealth, FF16. This blows them all away.

I saw it advertised on Twitter and it sounded really fun so that’s very encouraging that you’re loving it

 

[Kat]

Basically the exclusives. I’ve had an Xbox with game pass for years so I’ve played a lot of the non-exclusives. Remember enjoying jak and daxter on the PS2!

Then I recommend Horizon Zero Dawn, which really I'd recommend to anybody with a console that could play it. If you liked Jak and Daxter, then you'd probably enjoy the Little Big Planet series.

 

[Kat]

Anybody try Brighter Shores, which is a new MMO in early access made by the creator of RuneScape? It's just as grindy, possibly more so, but I thought a few people may have joined up out of curiosity or nostalgia.

It's available on Steam and quite a bit of content is free if anybody wants to check it out.

 

[Quagmire]

Just passed 60 hours on Metaphor: Refantazio and I don't have anyone to talk about this game with really but so far, it might be the best RPG I've played since PS1... I just played 6 hours today and most of it was cut scenes... This is my perfect RPG. It's so balanced, fun, the story is awesome, the pacing is even better, and the battle system is so refined turn based.

I don't want it to end but it just keeps pushing you forward. It's a 94 on metacritic and that feels low to me right now.

I played amazing RPGs this year, P3, Infinite wealth, FF16. This blows them all away.

This will be my winter break game so I'll be able to talk about it at the end of the year

 

[Nae'blis]

Got a Immortals Fenyx Rising + Assassin's Creed Valhalla bundle pretty cheap on PS Store, and started playing IFR, so far a pretty fun game!

 

[Andy]

Played a bit more FF5. My wife is away this weekend so I’ll be playing a lot of it once the kids are in bed.

 

[Spiner202]

I'm going to give a more detailed review of Dead Space. I have now beat the game twice - once on story mode, then once on medium in new game+. Now I'm on an impossible mode play through. Impossible mode is the same difficulty as hard mode, except that if you die once, it drops you down to hard. Obviously I'll be using cloud saves to get around that requirement, although I'm just at Chapter 3/12 and I haven't died yet. You also can't start it in NG+.

Overall, I would say it is an enjoyable game, but definitely has some flaws. There are a lot of weapons and they all play differently, but there are only a few that are good, and the first gun is easily the best. I don't think they've scaled the currency/upgrades very well. It actually took me more than 2 full playthroughs to max out all of the upgrades, but most of those came in the back half of the second playthrough. I didn't feel like I was as upgraded as I should have been during my first run.

Also, I don't really understand the optimal way to kill enemies. The game is pretty clear that you are supposed to shoot limbs off, rather than just aiming for headshots. It seems totally random whether it takes 1 bullet or 10 to down the enemy, and the same holds true once they are downed (weirdly, headshots seem more effective at this point?). It hasn't been too bad on impossible mode, but I've been abusing all of the environmental abilities to blow stuff up, so that I only need 1 bullet to kill an enemy. I don't think that will work in the later chapters.

The overarching story is good, but the one thing I didn't like about it is that the entire game felt like it had the same narrative: "something on the ship is broken, go fix it". Then you fix it, and it becomes "something else on the ship has broken, go fix it". I'm not sure what else you would do with this setting, but it wore thin after a few chapters.

Most of what I have said has been critical, so I'll list off a few positives. Firstly, the combat is pretty satisfying because it feels weighted. The game is very well made and doesn't really have any glitches. It's nice to see a linear game - I think it's hard for every developer to resist the temptation to make massive open worlds with many repetitive tasks. I also think the few bosses in the game are pretty creative, and I like that they don't really force a boss after every chapter. They only appear when they're appropriate.

As a free PS+ game, this is a no-brainer. If I had to pay for it, I probably would say it's a $30-$40 game. It also would be better if I only had to play it once or twice, but I'll always prioritize trophies over my own sanity haha

 

[Smacktard]

When you remove their limbs, then you go for the headshots. Legs first, then head is an easy way of doing it. The damage of the bullets you shoot varies slightly, so it might take more shots sometimes, even with the same gun and same enemy.

Some weapons aren't that useful, but I did find every weapon had its use. I think this distinction is a bit more obvious in Dead Space 2, though.

Gameplay loop was simple but made sense IMO, since Isaac is an engineer.

 

[Quagmire]

Still chipping away at Cyberpunk 2077, getting close to starting the DLC, having a blast

Tried to play Moon Remix, but the original ps1 version with fan translation. Translation was good but not complete, but biggest thing was it seems it is more a puzzle/adventure game and you have stamina where you can just keel over and die, will be much easier to keep track of on computer, so I'll probably pick up the steam version when it is on sale

 

[Smacktard]

Still chipping away at Cyberpunk 2077, getting close to starting the DLC, having a blast

Tried to play Moon Remix, but the original ps1 version with fan translation. Translation was good but not complete, but biggest thing was it seems it is more a puzzle/adventure game and you have stamina where you can just keel over and die, will be much easier to keep track of on computer, so I'll probably pick up the steam version when it is on sale

I was thinking of picking up Moon for the Switch. What do you think of it so far?

 

[Quagmire]

I was thinking of picking up Moon for the Switch. What do you think of it so far?

I liked the idea of it, it seems its more of an adventure game than a jrpg, which is fine, you have stamina and you need to eat and keep track of that and go to bed before you run out, for me I rather do that when Im sitting at a computer vs on my phone. I dont know why, but excited to give it a shot

 

[dimmerwit]

MSFS 2024: Pretty much sums up the game's launch, although my last session did actually work! I took a Cessna 172 out of Jackson Hole and rapidly came to the realisation that it was tragically underpowered at that altitude. Got bored, went for a landing and well...

 

[Spectro]

The past two days I've been playing the Anniversary Edition of World of Warcraft Classic. I can't wait to do some dungeon runs.

 

[Andy]

Making decent progress on FF5. I’ll be honest - up until 6 they all feel very similar. Enjoying it though

 

[Kat]

View attachment 23549

MSFS 2024: Pretty much sums up the game's launch, although my last session did actually work! I took a Cessna 172 out of Jackson Hole and rapidly came to the realisation that it was tragically underpowered at that altitude. Got bored, went for a landing and well...

Wow, that's gorgeous! I want to try it, but I think I'll wait for the server issues to die down first.

 

[Quagmire]

Almost done with Cyberpunk 2077

Not sure what my next came is

 

[Kat]

@dimmerwit thinking about it more, how did you even manage to do that? C172s take some work to turn upside down!

 

[dimmerwit]

I was landing on a bumpy surface and at the last minute hit a fairly steep downhill bit.

I think in real life it would probably have embedded the front in the ground in some manner.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I just beat Metaphor: Refantazio. Final game time was 93:33 and I did everything possible.

The game was brilliant, absolutely brilliant in every way. Your crew, the world building, pacing, music... it's all so tightly orchestrated and became one of the first games that I found to keep pushing you forward. I often get bored when the games let you kill time exploring and doing quests but the calendar keeping you on task did exactly that.

93 hours felt short because it was so good. It's been three hours since I beat it andi already miss it. I'll miss my crew like I missed my favorites in the best games I've ever played.

I think I liked it better than Persona 5 but I'm not sure, might be recency bias. It's no doubt in my top 5 ever, behind Witcher 3, FF9, and then I'm not sure. P5, Metaphor, FF7 come next in some order.

Highly recommended. I don't know what to play now. I'd love another RPG but I have a feeling it will disappoint after this one.

 

[Quagmire]

Decided to re-try Rondo of Blood, and the character just moves so slow, must be why I have bounced off it every time I tried. Really wish character moved faster, probably also why I dont remember liking Castlevania IV, but really enjoyed Bloodlines

 

[Smacktard]

Decided to re-try Rondo of Blood, and the character just moves so slow, must be why I have bounced off it every time I tried. Really wish character moved faster, probably also why I dont remember liking Castlevania IV, but really enjoyed Bloodlines

Rondo is my favorite Castlevania game. It plays just like the OG Castlevania, but it's more polished and fair IMO.

Bloodlines is REALLY cool, but difficult as shit, and in an unfair way IMO. If you've got the skills to power through it though, I can understand why it would easily be a favorite. I'm not a huge fan of Castlevania IV either tbh. It starts off strong but gets monotonous pretty quick.

 

[Quagmire]

Rondo is my favorite Castlevania game. It plays just like the OG Castlevania, but it's more polished and fair IMO.

Bloodlines is REALLY cool, but difficult as shit, and in an unfair way IMO. If you've got the skills to power through it though, I can understand why it would easily be a favorite. I'm not a huge fan of Castlevania IV either tbh. It starts off strong but gets monotonous pretty quick.

It is mostly the feel of the character and movement speed. I really want to like Rondo, but I just wish he moved faster, it feels like Im walking through molasses

 

[dimmerwit]

I had another go at MSFS.

Spoiler: Photos

Early morning departure.


On the way. You can ask Benzine where this is.


Quickly turning after realising that this was not in fact the way.


My destination is down a valley, so here's me trying to find the right one. I did not succeed.


Another choice. Is the airport to the left or to the right?


Nope, it was neither! Cue a rapid u-turn. Luckily this aircraft (Cirrus Vision SF50) has a very high power to weight ratio - the Cessna would probably be in that hill.


Finally found the runway.


Phew. I should not be allowed to operate an aircraft, either virtual or otherwise. Good thing I have a license to do so!

 

[Quagmire]

Decided to jump on the Metaphor train, will play a little over the next few weeks when possible, once christmas break hits, it's on

Just beat the first boss and met the old vet with an eye patch (god I love this character trope), (also knowing jrpgs, wouldnt be shocked if he turned out to be 30)

 

[Quagmire]

Also what is it with Atlas and seeming to love androgynous characters?!

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

It has those surface level tropes but it is a much deeper game than it appears.

 

[Quagmire]

It has those surface level tropes but it is a much deeper game than it appears.

Oh I am sure, much like their persona games, just never understood it

 

[Smacktard]

I'm playing Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction. It's nice. But like... All of the Ratchet and Clank games are the same?

 

[Quagmire]

I'm playing Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction. It's nice. But like... All of the Ratchet and Clank games are the same?

They pretty much are, but they are fun, and I like the humor. Not a series I'd recommend marathoning

 

[BigDaddy]

I don't play video games much these days, and I don't have any of the new systems, but every once in a while I'll bust out my old games to play a bit.

I dusted off Goldeneye last month and was trying to beat the target times on some of the levels and then tried to beat some of the later levels on 00 Agent on one of my unfinished files. Big accomplishment here was beating the target time of 2:05 for Facility on 00 Agent.

Over Thanksgiving weekend I picked up where I left off on Donkey Kong Country on my SNES Classic. I made a thread in the retro gaming forum back in February talking about playing several SNES games for the first time; I'll have to give an update in that thread if/when I play them more now that winter is coming again. In DKC I'm now up to the Loopy Lights level of Chimp Caverns. Apparently I'm getting close to the end of the game.

 

[Spiner202]

I don't play video games much these days, and I don't have any of the new systems, but every once in a while I'll bust out my old games to play a bit.

I dusted off Goldeneye last month and was trying to beat the target times on some of the levels and then tried to beat some of the later levels on 00 Agent on one of my unfinished files. Big accomplishment here was beating the target time of 2:05 for Facility on 00 Agent.

The time trials on 00 Agent are so difficult. Even some of the Secret Agent ones are very challenging.

 

[dimmerwit]

I'm playing Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction. It's nice. But like... All of the Ratchet and Clank games are the same?

Pretty much.

I never actually played the PS3 games though. Tools of Destruction launched near the end of 2007 in what is one of the most stacked periods in gaming history and I just never got round to it.

 

[Spiner202]

I just started the Hearts of Stone DLC for The Witcher 3. I beat the main game in 2015 and never revisited it when either of the DLC came out. It looks like I gave it a 5/5 on True Trophies back when I first played it, but after about an hour of playing, I'm immediately reminded that (1) the gameplay is clunky; and (2) I do not like Geralt's voice acting.

I think the latter is something of a hot take, but my issue with it is that he's so monotone. In the past, I have voiced this on reddit and was told "that's how Witcher's are", but doesn't that mean that there's a flaw in the world-building if the most important character or species basically has no range? There are other series where there are stoic characters, but they're less integral to the story.

Since it's been nearly a decade since my last time playing, I'm slowly relearning the controls, but even turning the difficulty down from Death March to Story is giving me a tough time.

 

[dimmerwit]

Handily agree on both those points.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I don't disagree with the points.

I loved hearts of stone, it's so well written. Blood and wine was better overall but this one hit hard.

 

[Crazy Jamie]

I finished Terran Command, which was excellent. Good for me Starship Troopers fandom and my RTS fandom.

I then moved on to Not For Broadcast, and whilst I really do acknowledge what they've done with it and I'm sure plenty of people enjoy it, it just didn't click with me. I thought it would, but I found myself focusing on the tasks in a game sense and not being drawn into the story. Which, given it's basically an interactive story, is quite important. So let that go after a couple of hours.

So I've moved onto Sifu, and that game is good. Some of the best hand to hand combat gameplay I've seen in any game. But it's also very difficult, and as satisfying as it is when it clicks, I am slightly questioning whether at this point in my life with limited time, I just need to play games that are more accessible than this. But I'm four hours in or so, and will keep going for now.

 

[Spiner202]

I just started the Hearts of Stone DLC for The Witcher 3. I beat the main game in 2015 and never revisited it when either of the DLC came out. It looks like I gave it a 5/5 on True Trophies back when I first played it, but after about an hour of playing, I'm immediately reminded that (1) the gameplay is clunky; and (2) I do not like Geralt's voice acting.

I think the latter is something of a hot take, but my issue with it is that he's so monotone. In the past, I have voiced this on reddit and was told "that's how Witcher's are", but doesn't that mean that there's a flaw in the world-building if the most important character or species basically has no range? There are other series where there are stoic characters, but they're less integral to the story.

Since it's been nearly a decade since my last time playing, I'm slowly relearning the controls, but even turning the difficulty down from Death March to Story is giving me a tough time.

Ok I've calmed down now that I've played a few rounds of Gwent. It's so much fun. I'd buy a standalone Gwent game for sure.

Also, it turns out that my skip cutscene button was definitely not working, and after reloading a file, it is fixed now. I'm not in the habit of skipping cutscenes, but I had to replay one mission because I missed a trophy, and also, the wedding mission was just not for me. The third character in that mission is just all kinds of inappropriate and I didn't really enjoy it to be honest. The following mission is (so far) much better.

 

[Smacktard]

I'm not in the habit of skipping cutscenes, but I had to replay one mission because I missed a trophy, and also, the wedding mission was just not for me

Question -- is the ability to replay missions for trophies in-game, or did you load an old save?

 

[Spiner202]

Question -- is the ability to replay missions for trophies in-game, or did you load an old save?

I loaded an old save. I was cautioned to make a save before each mission in the DLC because 3 of them have missable trophies. But the missions are each 1 hour+, so I'm really lucky that I had an auto-save that was halfway through the mission.

 

[rktaker]

It's so much fun. I'd buy a standalone Gwent game for sure.

there is a standalone gwent game and i think it’s still around. best part is it’s free

 

[bittersweet]

Just started playing it the other day, but I've been making some slow progress through Indiana Jones. It's fun if a little stupid at times. There are some clear glitches that got missed, a few weird scenarios where you can beat up a whole slew of Nazis in front of another that is less than a mile away and they will show no reaction or indication of you having done any wrongdoing.

 

[Quagmire]

I just started the Hearts of Stone DLC for The Witcher 3. I beat the main game in 2015 and never revisited it when either of the DLC came out. It looks like I gave it a 5/5 on True Trophies back when I first played it, but after about an hour of playing, I'm immediately reminded that (1) the gameplay is clunky; and (2) I do not like Geralt's voice acting.

1 I think that is a common complaint, I enjoyed it though, 2 that is fair

I also loved Hearts of Stone DLC, also got to bring back best girl Shani!

 

[Quagmire]

Metaphor Re....

Just beat the first real dungeon, that boss fight wasnt too bad, but the fight outside, the

Spoiler

human

was a tough battle that I had to restart once and use like 3 healing items

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Yeah, that one was a little tough due to the regenerating portion of it and the quick attack they do.

I also loved Hearts of Stone DLC, also got to bring back best girl Shani!

Shani is too perfect, needs more stern, commanding Yennifer

Yennifer > Shani > Triss

But Saskia from 2 is best, but unattainable for... reasons. Also Iris from Hearts of Stone is so tragic I just want her to be happy.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

They need to hurry up and remake the original Witcher so I can do that, a play through on Roche's path in 2, and then maybe revisit 3.

 

[Quagmire]

Yeah, that one was a little tough due to the regenerating portion of it and the quick attack they do.


Shani is too perfect, needs more stern, commanding Yennifer

Yennifer > Shani > Triss

But Saskia from 2 is best, but unattainable for... reasons. Also Iris from Hearts of Stone is so tragic I just want her to be happy.

Not a huge Yenn fan, Im a Shani > Triss > Yennifer kind of guy

I dont even remember Saskia

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Not a huge Yenn fan, Im a Shani > Triss > Yennifer kind of guy

I dont even remember Saskia

Side character from W2.

Spoiler: W2 spoilers

She is actually the dragon Saesenthessis in human form, that has a large underground following of dissent in the kingdom, She's p rad.

 

[Quagmire]

Side character from W2.

Spoiler: W2 spoilers

She is actually the dragon Saesenthessis in human form, that has a large underground following of dissent in the kingdom, She's p rad.

I feel like I forgot a lot of that game, I was not a big fan of that game and I think honestly it has the worst combat, the first one's a little clunky but you get the hang of it, the second one I had to have Shield up the entire time and I had to roll so much, the third one found a much better balance where yes I did roll a lot and usually had my shield up but I didn't feel it was nearly as necessary as the second game, and because of that I've never replayed it

The thing I most remember is one boss fight where I did not have time to prepare due to when it loads you in and I had to crank the difficulty down