Multi Watcha playing?

[MC74]

Thought about changing things up with Crystal and doing a playthrough on Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, or Anno with her.

 

[Quagmire]

Thought about changing things up with Crystal and doing a playthrough on Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, or Anno with her.

Love me some ck and eu

 

[MC74]

Love me some ck and eu

Do you by chance play Sid Meier's Civilization too?

 

[Quagmire]

Do you by chance play Sid Meier's Civilization too?

Nope

I like the more realistic games

 

[MC74]

Nope

I like the more realistic games

Wouldn't mind playing a game featured around the antiquities age either. I find that particular time period interesting as well.

 

[Quagmire]

Wouldn't mind playing a game featured around the antiquities age either. I find that particular time period interesting as well.

Imperator is supposed to be good now, but no more updates due to poor sales, mod scene might be good though

 

[MC74]

Imperator is supposed to be good now, but no more updates due to poor sales, mod scene might be good though

I looked into that one today actually while discussing it with Crystal. Apparently there were some minor updates over the last year or so. I looked at it and the UI is just like EU's.

 

[Smacktard]

Is this a typo or do you really get more snacks in GTA as you level? (I've never played it.)

Yeah, for the online part of the game, you eat chips, chocolate, and chug sprite (sprunk) to regain health in firefights.

 

[Crazy Jamie]

I'm still on Helldivers 2 for now. Really enjoying it. Best co-operative experience since Deep Rock Galactic in my view. I'm an absolute sucker for any game that uses a Starship Troopers setting so well. Despite the obvious tongue in cheek nature of the game (including your character shouting "have a taste of democracy!" as you blow an alien's face off), it also manages to genuinely make you feel like you're part of a war effort, and to get excited for that (the incredible music score helps). It is somehow both satire and effective propaganda. In another time and place I might worry about that, but for now I'm just going to enjoy spreading freedom throughout the galaxy.

 

[Spiner202]

I opened Resogun for probably the first time since 2014? I was lured in back then by this being a PS+ game, but I didn't like it back then. After a quick refresh on the mechanics, all I have to say is that this game is insanely difficult. I was struggling on the second difficulty (out of four) and bumped it down to the first one. I can definitely get more trophies than just the ones I have now, but 100% is looking like a tall task. At least you can play most of this game co-op, but I don't think there are many people actually playing it right now.

I've spent quite a bit more time on this game. I think the initial advice I received of starting on any difficulty other than the easiest was not good. The levels all get progressively more difficult, so starting on the easiest difficulty gives you a much better learning curve. Now I've beaten 4/5 levels on the 2nd highest difficulty level (and you only need to be 1 level on the highest for the plat). I definitely think the platinum is very achievable.

From what I have read, the DLC trophies are much more difficult, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Also, I didn't realize that the studio that made Resogun is the one that did Returnal. I wanted to pick up that game at some point. I know they're really different, but cool to see that they're still around.

 

[Kat]

I really like Resogun, but I'm not sure I've ever beaten the whole thing in a single playthrough.

 

[Quagmire]

Been a busy ass week and busy Saturday so only got to play a little bit of A Plague Tale Innocence but still enjoying it. So far the puzzles have been pretty easy, but not too easy (if that makes sense)

I do get We Have Last of Us at home vibes at times, there was a moment that made me think of when you get to Utah in the original.

It is a nice change of pace. We have spring break next week , have to decide what I want to play. Not sure if I want to jump on Pirate Yakuza, Avowed, or Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. I feel like Avowed will be the last of the three I want to play, but Im sure I can get a better discount if I wait till summer. So maybe I'll do the sensible thing and play something I already own....is that allowed?

Leaning towards KCD2, support a small dev, I know Pirate will have deep discounts before KCD most likely

 

[Fool's Requiem]

I'm currently playing through Super Metroid on original hardware. I started on the SNES Mini and then realized I had an physical copy on the SNES.

This will be the second Metroid game I put actual effort into completing after the greatness of Metroid Prime. Hoping to play the original Metroid when my AVS from RetroUSB comes.

 

[Quagmire]

Finally jumped back into Dragon Quest 7 DS (on my phone), and after 20hrs have finally unlocked the job class! This is when the game is supposed to open up, so its got me hooked after I dragged my feet over the last month. I have enjoyed the vignettes and I characters, but was getting tired of the gameplay and it does hit a lul until job system. Also a point where you lose your powers until you beat a bunch of bosses and get them back and can finally use jobs

So combination of playing on phone isnt always as engaging, I need to use a controller maybe and static gameplay really had me almost dropping it. We'll see if the story and gameplay pick up. I know it is mostly vignettes, but I have enjoyed them, so hopefully they stay good only about 60 more hours to go

 

[Crazy Jamie]

Still playing Helldivers 2, and it is still excellent, but I started a few days ago on Fights In Tight Spaces, and that is also excellent. It's basically John Wick: The Game. Turn based, deck building combat in a roguelike. So it's a dynamic puzzle really, but one that plays out in a cool action film sort of way. I've heard this made a lot of peoples' game of the year lists in 2021, and I can see why. It really is very good. Also makes me think I'll get Knights In Tight Spaces at some point this year. As a spiritual sequel but with a fantasy theme and party combat, I expect I'll enjoy it.

My attention has also been drawn to Two Point Museum, which is getting amazing reviews. I used to play a lot of Rollercoaster Tycoon, Theme Hospital etc games, and this looks like it's worth diving back into that genre for. My daughter also really wants to play it, so if I can combine an excellent new game with bonding, that's probably a no brainer.

 

[dimmerwit]

My attention has also been drawn to Two Point Museum, which is getting amazing reviews. I used to play a lot of Rollercoaster Tycoon, Theme Hospital etc games, and this looks like it's worth diving back into that genre for. My daughter also really wants to play it, so if I can combine an excellent new game with bonding, that's probably a no brainer.

I played the last two games (Hospital and Campus) and enjoyed them, but from what I've seen Museum is the best yet. I think a lot of it is simply because the basic idea of creating a museum offers a lot more creative possibilities over a hospital or university.

That said Two Point Hospital is definitely nostalgic which is helped by some of the devs being old Bullfrog veterans from Theme Hospital.

 

[Crazy Jamie]

I played the last two games (Hospital and Campus) and enjoyed them, but from what I've seen Museum is the best yet. I think a lot of it is simply because the basic idea of creating a museum offers a lot more creative possibilities over a hospital or university.

That said Two Point Hospital is definitely nostalgic which is helped by some of the devs being old Bullfrog veterans from Theme Hospital.

I think that's right. Watching the trailer, the prehistoric, underwater and ghost themes basically feel like three entirely different games, and from a creative standpoint I expect they will be. Since I started buying games more recently with the intention of playing them in the near future (as opposed to getting games or bundles at good value and allowing them to sit in my library forever), I am more open to the idea of buying games on or close to release for higher prices than I would have previously, and I expect this one is going to get bought sooner rather than later.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

I hate sand.

 

[Nae'blis]

I hate sand.

 

[VashTheStampede]

So lately both @Christina and I have been hooked on  Avowed. I'm really digging the world they've built and am giving heavy consideration into trying out Pillars of Eternity next...but I may wait for that Turn Based battle system patch they announced first...

 

[Christina]

I want to play more Avowed. Stupid work.

 

[Quagmire]

Finished A Plague Tale Innocence

Overall it is a C+ that dropped from B- due to the last chapter

It is a beautiful game, awesome setting, voice acting is great and characters are well designed and realized. I liked them all.

The game for the most part is pretty easy. Most puzzles dont take too much thought, but arent so easy that I got bored. Maybe it was the danger that kept me on my toes. This is much more a puzzle game than a stealth or action game. The stealth is laughably bad at times, but I dont think it would have worked else wise. There are plenty of supplies so I never ran out and screwed my self.

They do a good job of mixing up gameplay, slowly giving you new tools so it didnt get stale.

Combat isnt good though. It is serviceable, but the last chapter is where it falls apart. Way too much combat and the controls are just kind of awkward. Not awful, but I found myself dying not because I didnt know what to do, but I couldnt pull it off due to the controls and that is the whole final chapter. There is a final boss fight that in any other game would be awesome, but again, awkward nature of the controls made me die a few times. Also the game ends and leaves a lot of questions unanswered

I got it during an Epic giveaway, worth it for free or if you can pick it up for cheap

Next up? Probably 13 Sentinels, I actually own is, and should be able to beat it over spring break, where the other three I want are longer and I dont own

 

[dimmerwit]

Aside from AC Shadows I gave Atomfall a brief whirl since I still have Game Pass. I only played an hour and a half and will probably finish the main quest in AC before coming back to it, but my first impressions are pretty good. I like how it does the UK setting really well without the usual nonsense you see.

What's most intriguing is the freedom. I've only really finished off one quest (the one with the baker that was in all the previews) but even that short quest had a fair few potential outcomes. You can kill every named character in the game so you could just blast the face off the quest giver if you so wanted. It also has multiple endings and apparently a quite short playtime so I might actually experience more than one of them for a change.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Just finished Suikoden 1. Got 105 of the stars, it was a good time. Only took 16 hours to beat with the fast forward features.

I've heard most of the QoL features are in 2, so I'm guessing it will be a better experience. The first one was rough around the edges but it told a good story and had some fun characters. I mostly bought it to play 2, so here we go!

 

[Quagmire]

Just finished Suikoden 1. Got 105 of the stars, it was a good time. Only took 16 hours to beat with the fast forward features.

I've heard most of the QoL features are in 2, so I'm guessing it will be a better experience. The first one was rough around the edges but it told a good story and had some fun characters. I mostly bought it to play 2, so here we go!

I love both for different reasons, only thing I dislike about the first is the giant spinning wheel part where it can be some bad luck, love that it is a short jrpg

2 is better in pretty much every way, but I do appreciate the shortness of the first

Both have Flik and Viktor, so you can't go wrong

 

[Fool's Requiem]

If I can still download updates for the Wii and Wii U, I demand the stores reopen so I can get all the DLC that some games had for them.

Also, Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles has quick time events. This does not please me. I just wanna shoot zombies...

Edit: I have like an update needing to install for almost every game... it takes like 10 minutes to download and install each one...

 

[Smacktard]

Also, Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles has quick time events. This does not please me. I just wanna shoot zombies...

This was the reason I dumped that game actually

 

[VashTheStampede]

I love both for different reasons, only thing I dislike about the first is the giant spinning wheel part where it can be some bad luck, love that it is a short jrpg

2 is better in pretty much every way, but I do appreciate the shortness of the first

Both have Flik and Viktor, so you can't go wrong

I'm like 85% sure they nerfed the spinning wheel in the remaster. I got it on the first try and several other people I talked to did as well.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I think I know what you are referring to, and I didn't quite understand what it was doing. But I made it through on 5 attempts.

 

[MC74]

Revisiting the Splinter Cell series. It was one of my personal favorites growing up and one of those series that I like going back and playing.

 

[Quagmire]

Revisiting the Splinter Cell series. It was one of my personal favorites growing up and one of those series that I like going back and playing.

Which games are you playing through? All of them?

 

[MC74]

Which games are you playing through? All of them?

Yep.

 

[Quagmire]

Yep.

Only one id not want to replay (blacklist and the original)

I remember one real annoying part in the original. I think it involved dogs and I was in a barn and had to hope the turrets took care of the enemies

 

[MC74]

Only one id not want to replay (blacklist and the original)

I remember one real annoying part in the original. I think it involved dogs and I was in a barn and had to hope the turrets took care of the enemies

There were 2 levels which featured dogs. Chinese Embassy Part 2 and the Presidential Palace.

 

[Quagmire]

There were 2 levels which featured dogs. Chinese Embassy Part 2 and the Presidential Palace.

Maybe there weren't dogs but it was a wave of enemies you had to kill which was not like the rest of the game

End of the mission Abattoir

 

[MC74]

Maybe there weren't dogs but it was a wave of enemies you had to kill which was not like the rest of the game

End of the mission Abattoir

Yup, that's the one!

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Yep.

when you play Double Agent, you might want to try both the 360/PS3/PC version and the Xbox/GC/PS2 versions. They're both practically different games. I've seen a lot of hate aimed at the next gen versions. The previous gen version was handled by the devs of the first and third games. The next gen by the devs of the second game.

 

[MC74]

when you play Double Agent, you might want to try both the 360/PS3/PC version and the Xbox/GC/PS2 versions. They're both practically different games. I've seen a lot of hate aimed at the next gen versions. The previous gen version was handled by the devs of the first and third games. The next gen by the devs of the second game.

I own both for that very reason. I found the old gen version better than the new gen, and it was that experience that started the trend of me waiting a couple of years for new consoles to break in. ^^

 

[Quagmire]

when you play Double Agent, you might want to try both the 360/PS3/PC version and the Xbox/GC/PS2 versions. They're both practically different games. I've seen a lot of hate aimed at the next gen versions. The previous gen version was handled by the devs of the first and third games. The next gen by the devs of the second game.

That's the only one I haven't played. Heard good things about the Xbox version

I still liked the 360 version

 

[Quagmire]

Also I miss when games would be different on different consoles

 

[Smacktard]

Also I miss when games would be different on different consoles

There's like 10 versions of Battletoads that are all quite different from each other in terms of art and music

 

[Fool's Requiem]

There's a YT channel I mentioned in my video game channels Recs thread called "Retro Core". The number of systems that had games released on them is staggering. Anyone ever heard of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum? It was a budget computer only released in Europe and it had extremely limited colors available and games on it look drastically different from almost every other port released, save for the Amstrad which basically took ZX Spectrum games and added full color and slower performance.

 

[Quagmire]

Probably about a third of a way through 13 Sentinels , was hoping I would be able to knock it out by Sunday but that wont be happening, ideally I can make it at least half way

Enjoying the story and the mystery, OST so far is a let down, it works but Im so use to bangers that Atlas usually puts out. Gameplay is fun, but pretty easy so far and most of it is Visual Novel. It is still weird in that how sometimes the only option is to continue talking but the game still stops and makes you hit X

Making more progress on Dragon Quest VII, unlocking the jobs has been great and has me back and hooked trying to master jobs and we're getting back to the go to past, fix problem, go to present and see how it changed loop which I have loved. The vignettes are nice, some more memorable than others, but all at least well done and dont overstay their welcome

 

[Mark]

Well, I’m back on my bullshit with No Man’s Sky after the latest “relics” update. Have I assembled a skeleton yet? Nope. Have I done anything else with that particular update? Nope. Why? Because NMS seems to be the only game I’ve been able to play lately that lets me chip away at my pace because I’m an absolutely terrible gamer these days, and I’m also easily distracted by other stuff in the game.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

10 hours into Suikoden 2 and it is soooooo much better than 1. I totally see the hype. The little cut scenes, the stakes involved... it's the same vibe as the first just better in every way. I named the main character Scooter and it makes me giggle. Good to see Flik and Victor older but still kickin' it. I've run across a few characters from the first game, it's fun.

Can't say the same about Neclord. Guy is a bum.

 

[TD]

I've started playing Blue Prince, the indie game that a lot of people are talking about and it has rave reviews from critics. I've put about five hours in and I'm... not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm hooked right now but I can see where the people who are critical of it are coming from.

First and foremost, if you do not like roguelikes you will not like this. It's effectively a... puzzle... maze... roguelike game, I suppose? The nice thing is it's very chill and laid back. It can feel repetitive and slow, though.

But the puzzles? Oh boy. They're vague and convoluted in a way that takes a lot of time and thinking to solve. You're going to want to take notes, whether that means a physical notepad, your phone or whatever, because you will need it.

Everything seems like 100% RNG to start and while there's a heavy element of RNG to it, you start to realize after a bunch of runs that there's patterns and ways to manipulate the RNG.

If you're interested in trying it, it's on both the PS Plus Catalog and Game Pass.

Oh but for the Trophy Hunters out there, this looks like one of the most absurd Platinums I've ever seen.

 

[Kat]

Everything seems like 100% RNG to start and while there's a heavy element of RNG to it, you start to realize after a bunch of runs that there's patterns and ways to manipulate the RNG.

I only did five runs and was starting to wonder if/hope that was the case. Any tips you can give on this that you think won't spoil the game? Like maybe one example? Suffering at the hands of RNG isn't my idea of fun.

Oh but for the Trophy Hunters out there, this looks like one of the most absurd Platinums I've ever seen.

Absolutely! I looked through the list and decided to not even attempt it. What's the deal with the gold trophy that's essentially a duplicate of the platinum trophy? It makes it feel like the developers have no idea how PlayStation trophies work.

I didn't quote it, but I was also a bit annoyed about needing a notepad. If I read a note in the game, just give me a journal I can look at it in again. Let me look through a record of the items I've found and where instead of making me write it down. Keep a record of failed password attempts for me. Nobody ever thought to themselves, "you know what would make this game more fun? Having to take notes!" Especially since it's not easy to refer to screenshots.

At least they save the house layout of each run for you.

 

[TD]

Any tips you can give on this that you think won't spoil the game? Like maybe one example? Suffering at the hands of RNG isn't my idea of fun.

So I put in more time earlier today and feel like it's even more true.

So this one is maybe a very minor gameplay mechanic spoiler but it's an example that fits. If you make a point to prioritize drafting the Security Room and the Utility Room, you can effectively up the number of keycard doors that'll appear and then cut the power to them to unlock them all. This is just one example, but a lot of it comes down to the combination of rooms that you use, as some compliment rooms and others counter rooms. RNG is still an element, but what I've learned as of Day 25 is the biggest part of this game is adjusting your strategy with each run depending on drafting options, all rooms have a purpose, and I've learned a lot. Even looking back at my layout day by day really shows how much I've improved. In the early stages I was like "ugh RNG screwed me", which is sometimes true, but looking back at my early runs with the knowledge I have now - I can actually see my mistakes.

What's the deal with the gold trophy that's essentially a duplicate of the platinum trophy? It makes it feel like the developers have no idea how PlayStation trophies work.

So I had thought the exact same thing when I saw that. All I'll say for now is that the trophy in question isn't what you think it is.

That said, the trophies overall still terrify me. The fact I'm at ten hours and haven't gotten a single trophy? Unheard of.

I didn't quote it, but I was also a bit annoyed about needing a notepad. If I read a note in the game, just give me a journal I can look at it in again. Let me look through a record of the items I've found and where instead of making me write it down. Keep a record of failed password attempts for me. Nobody ever thought to themselves, "you know what would make this game more fun? Having to take notes!" Especially since it's not easy to refer to screenshots.

So I shared your annoyance. But now? I actually like it. What I will say is I understand why there's not a built in functionality for it. I can't really say too much more without getting into spoiler territory but there's so much more worth taking note of. For me, the biggest thing I'm noting now is how rooms interact with eachother and which rooms seem to have great odds of certain items spawning.

 

[Kat]

Yesterday, my girlfriend had me download Bang On Balls so I could see what "utter nonsense" it was (it's free with PS+). It's an action/platformer where you play as a ball-shaped character who attacks things by rolling into them very fast. You can collect lots of silly cosmetics (I'm currently wearing a frog hat, an inflatable ducky ring, and have a dino tattoo on my "butt") and most of the environment is destructible. It does have the usual action/adventure/platformer mechanics of objectives, bosses, places to jump to, and hidden collectibles to find, but 90% of the fun is running around and being a menace. For example, there's a flaming sword that will catch almost everything on fire that you get near if you have it equipped (you all, uhh, didn't need that forest, right?).

So anyway, she had me download this expecting me to play it for a bit then shake my head at how dumb the game was, but what actually happened is I spent twenty minutes laughing and having fun before telling her that she was wrong and the game was fucking fantastic. Then we discovered it has couch co-op and accidentally spent the rest of the night playing it together.

The jumping is kinda terrible and the squished screen in co-op would be maddening if you tried to take it at all seriously, but I highly recommend against that. I haven't tried playing it by myself, and she insisted it was a much different experience playing it with another person, but I think it'd be fun solo with the right mindset.

If you're looking for a silly game where you can be a chaos goblin in a funny costume, this will be your jam.

 

[Fire Queen]

got Dragon Ball: SPARKING! Zero from gamefly. one of those cases where it's not a game i would find valuable at full price but it's perfect to rent from gamefly for a couple weeks until i do everything i feel like doing. like most dragon ball games it's one of those things where as long as you know what to expect going in, you'll be satisfied. any time a reviewer is like "it's too repetitive, you just spam the same moves over and over" i'm like, well yeah. it's dragon ball. that's how this works. the amount of characters is great, the fanservice stuff is fun, and the story mode utilizes the great alternative timeline thing that made previous budokai tenkaichi games so fun. but it's certainly not a game for someone who didn't grow up with dragon ball lol

have progressed pretty well in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, wife and i finished the third case last night. excited to experience the fourth case for the first time since, uh, 2007! time doesn't feel real anymore

other than that my wife has been playing through Yakuza 0 for the first time and it just underscores how great an entry it is into the series. it was the first one i ever played but going through it now that i have the entire series under my belt makes me appreciate all of the little nods to other games in the series. i don't think i'll pick up the Switch 2 port but i am very interested in whatever new cutscenes they cook up

and i know that for most of our userbase visual novels aren't really the thing but i just replayed the end of Misericorde: Chapter One with our roommate who was seeing it for the first time in preparation for the newly released (at least a few months ago) Misericorde Volume Two: White Wool and Snow. it is a murder mystery in a 15th century convent, with art/writing/music all done by the same person. it's so god damn good. i cannot recommend it enough.



i even hesitate to include it in this thread because it is definitely something you read rather than play (for at least the first volume, there are no choices or branching paths or anything, don't know about the second but i would wager no). but it's just that damn good. i already recommended it in this thread but i;m doing it again

i'm also giving a second shout-out to Soul of Sovereignty Prelude. holy fucking moly. this one is far shorter than Misericorde, even including the Chapter Two that was released a couple months ago. oh my fucking god, man. get in on the ground floor of this one.



it is a love letter and also a wake-up call to jrpgs. it plays with jrpg tropes in an amazing and fascinating way. i am going to review it in a way that will hopefully resonate with some of us here: if kefka is one if your favorite final fantasy villains you should play this.