General Gaming What are you playing today?

[Nokt]

1 hour ago, ManUtdRedDevils said:

After the rough beginning of Nier Automata, I am starting to enjoy it more, but I don’t see myself playing through this multiple times. The combat is what you expect from a Platinum game. It’s fast and fluid but lacks weight. It’s also really busy on screen where it is hard to see exactly what is going on and devolves to button mashing. The camera doesn’t help either. FF7 Remake should arrive soon and I’ll probably drop this and never come back. 

If by playing through it multiple times you are referring to the multiple endings its not really playing through multiple times. You will tread over some of the same content, but you'll also play as different characters, in different situations, in different environments.

[gamer.tv]

A bit more REmake this morning (online lecture which was a lot of talking, a lot less doing) and have acquired the shotgun, located the kerosene container and then after saving went on an exploration run and located the dog whistle and the lighter, so I'll replay that little bit later on and then go and grab a few items to throw in the item box. 

 

I've not used a guide/map so far, but I think I probably will end up doing so, more to keep a tab on things that I've found so far. 

 

Update: As always happens with RE games, just popped it on again to have a bit more of a go and now Richard has been given the serum, I've got the Armour key and I'm just milling around opening up things. 

[skillzdadirecta]

Gonna continue through my Sekiro playthrough... I started the game over and I'm past the part I left off on the first time. Combat has finally "clicked" for me so I think I'll be finishing this in the next week or so.

[Dre801]

May be grabbing and playing Saints Row The Third Remastered today;  sounds like they put a lot into it.  

[Bloodporne]

13 hours ago, ManUtdRedDevils said:

After the rough beginning of Nier Automata, I am starting to enjoy it more, but I don’t see myself playing through this multiple times. The combat is what you expect from a Platinum game. It’s fast and fluid but lacks weight. It’s also really busy on screen where it is hard to see exactly what is going on and devolves to button mashing. The camera doesn’t help either. FF7 Remake should arrive soon and I’ll probably drop this and never come back. 

I just finished Automata recently and I really liked the opening 'stage' and once the open world-ish structure hit, it became a snoozefest a few hours in and I thought the combat constantly did devolve into button mashing due to idiotic camera angle choices, tons of on-screen clutter and whatever else they crammed in there. I felt like there was a really cool linear Action game in there unfortunately crammed into that endless-fetch-quest kind of generic RPG structure. It's definitely an appealing game in many ways but it dropped the ball too frequently and too hard in many areas to where I played it to the first ending, then read there are like twenty fucking endings, and I just dropped it. 

[TwinIon]

A combination of terrible unproductivity and some actual extra free time and I've now also gone through Far Cry New Dawn. ~10 hours to do some of everything and complete the story.

 

I liked New Dawn much better than 5. The lack of kidnappings helped, but most of all there was a much better sense of progression and a path through it. Enemies got harder, you needed better guns, which you got by doing stuff out in the world and upgrading your base, etc. It's a very harmonious feedback loop for an open world game, especially when it doesn't needlessly rip you out of that open world at periodic intervals.

 

I liked the slightly higher difficulty and that some of the OP stuff (helicopters with guns, slienced weapons) were harder to get, pushing you through that play loop. I do wish they'd worked some of the outposts into the story better. Given the recapture mechanic, it's odd that the baddies didn't recapture outposts either after a set amount of time or during the story. Maybe it's just a matter of not being a full numbered entry, but it felt like there's a lot of potential untouched. It also seems odd that in a world where guns are literally crafted out of junk that there wasn't a way to modify weapons nearly as much as in 5. Maybe not allowing a silencer on every gun is a good thing, but it would have been nice if you could put a bigger clip or different sight on some of them.

 

There was also a crazy difficulty spike with the end bosses that seems bizarre. I used a silenced purple rifle that would mow down top level enemies with the armor piercing rounds and it hardly touched the end bosses. I went back with a golden LMG and they were a piece of cake. If anything, I kinda wish there had been more reason to craft one earlier.

 

Also, it ran pretty well. Ultra @ 4K and things were smooth and looked good with only a few hiccups. If I were a completionist I could easily double the time spent in game, but I feel like I got my $5 worth. 

 

 

After playing through Odyssey and these two Far Cry games, I feel like Far Cry is not nearly as polished as it should be. Ubisoft has made 10 of them, and while some things show that maturity, much of them feel half baked or ill-considered. Maybe Far Cry just doesn't get as much dev time because it doesn't sell as well and they're trying to make as big a game as possible, but for whatever the reason, I really think a bit more time and thought could help these games tremendously. 

[best3444]

Been playing Life is Strange. I beat part 1 and 2. Now playing the prequel before the storm. I'm enjoying the entire series.

[Spawn_of_Apathy]

Been playing a bunch of Assassins Creed Odyssey. Loving the game. I picked up the Ultimate edition when it was in sale for $30. Put in close to 90 hours so far, still have plenty to go, including the expansion chapters. 

[Brian]

Started Route B in Nier Automata.  I am doing the main quests only and ignoring the rest as I try to crank it out. Going through the story a second time, which I never do, is slowly deteriorating my opinion of the first playthrough.  The additional story bits interspersed throughout Route B has yet to justify the repeat playing so far. Not sure I can stick it out much longer. 
 

Also, if you are going to make a hacking mini-game the main mechanic in Route B, it better be damn good. 

[CastlevaniaNut18]

Done some Animal Crossing earlier, probably going to play Metal Slug X on MVS later tonight and maybe some Paper Mario on N64 if I got time.

[maddux4163]

On 5/22/2020 at 4:45 PM, TwinIon said:

A combination of terrible unproductivity and some actual extra free time and I've now also gone through Far Cry New Dawn. ~10 hours to do some of everything and complete the story.

 

I liked New Dawn much better than 5. The lack of kidnappings helped, but most of all there was a much better sense of progression and a path through it. Enemies got harder, you needed better guns, which you got by doing stuff out in the world and upgrading your base, etc. It's a very harmonious feedback loop for an open world game, especially when it doesn't needlessly rip you out of that open world at periodic intervals.

 

I liked the slightly higher difficulty and that some of the OP stuff (helicopters with guns, slienced weapons) were harder to get, pushing you through that play loop. I do wish they'd worked some of the outposts into the story better. Given the recapture mechanic, it's odd that the baddies didn't recapture outposts either after a set amount of time or during the story. Maybe it's just a matter of not being a full numbered entry, but it felt like there's a lot of potential untouched. It also seems odd that in a world where guns are literally crafted out of junk that there wasn't a way to modify weapons nearly as much as in 5. Maybe not allowing a silencer on every gun is a good thing, but it would have been nice if you could put a bigger clip or different sight on some of them.

 

There was also a crazy difficulty spike with the end bosses that seems bizarre. I used a silenced purple rifle that would mow down top level enemies with the armor piercing rounds and it hardly touched the end bosses. I went back with a golden LMG and they were a piece of cake. If anything, I kinda wish there had been more reason to craft one earlier.

 

Also, it ran pretty well. Ultra @ 4K and things were smooth and looked good with only a few hiccups. If I were a completionist I could easily double the time spent in game, but I feel like I got my $5 worth. 

 

 

After playing through Odyssey and these two Far Cry games, I feel like Far Cry is not nearly as polished as it should be. Ubisoft has made 10 of them, and while some things show that maturity, much of them feel half baked or ill-considered. Maybe Far Cry just doesn't get as much dev time because it doesn't sell as well and they're trying to make as big a game as possible, but for whatever the reason, I really think a bit more time and thought could help these games tremendously. 

I seriously loved FC5. 

 

the kidnappings were the best part 

 

CULL THE HURD! Great Antagonist imo. I’ve been wanting to play New Dawn. 🤔

[maddux4163]

On 5/22/2020 at 9:31 AM, Dre801 said:

May be grabbing and playing Saints Row The Third Remastered today;  sounds like they put a lot into it.  

I want It myself. But the price to me is steep for what’s essentially a better running upscaled version of a mediocre game. (Fun... but average). 

 

For $20. I’d do it. Not $40. 

[Dre801]

Saw a Steam sale and grabbed Tomb Raider(2013) - my personal fave of the new games. 

 

Hadn’t been able to play it at 4K/60 until now.

[darkness35]

Finished Doom 2016.  I still think Wolfenstein: New Order was better.

[Keyser_Soze]

11 hours ago, maddux4163 said:

I want It myself. But the price to me is steep for what’s essentially a better running upscaled version of a mediocre game. (Fun... but average). 

 

For $20. I’d do it. Not $40. 

 

I wonder what will happen when it comes to steam. Only the non remaster is on steam the remaster is epic exclusive. Fun!

[Bloodporne]

I was just surprised to find out that the HD Metal Gear Solid collection isn't on PS4. Wanted to replay the whole main series but I haven't broken out the PS3 in years. Let's see if it still works.

 

I've been playing Streets of Rage 4 a lot the past few days but the online has been sucking ass for me so I'm giving that a rest for now.

[Brian]

Finished Route B, started Route C and got the P ending. Liked the ending enough to call it my true ending and uninstalled.  Nier Automata- 6.9/10

 

FF7R - first time playing FF7 so excited to see what the hubbub is about. 

[CastlevaniaNut18]

I’m definitely playing Paper Mario today. Gotta give my thumbs a rest after all the arcade stuff. 

[AbsolutSurgen]

I’m midway through Chapter 2 of Witcher 2 on the “Roche” playthrough. Still somewhat not enjoying the mechanics of this one. Should I be doing an Ioveth playthrough too?  

[skillzdadirecta]

1 hour ago, AbsolutSurgen said:

I’m midway through Chapter 2 of Witcher 2 on the “Roche” playthrough. Still somewhat not enjoying the mechanics of this one. Should I be doing an Ioveth playthrough too?  

I remember the first time I played The Witcher 2 I didn't enjoy the gameplay that much either because I was trying to play it like a typical action RPG. It doesn't play like that at all really and once I got into the flow of the game, I enjoyed the gameplay MUCH better. I've beaten the game twice i think and plan on doing a third playthrough once I force my way through the first game.  That one is a struggle for me.

[dualhunter]

Finished the main story of Final Fantasy XIII-2.

[projectmayhem]

Started playing GTA IV for the first time in 6 years, and it's holding my attention so much more than any recent open world game. I thought it was good at the time but my opinion of it has shot right up, this might be my favourite GTA now. 

[heydude93]

I noticed Civ 6 got an update on the 21st that adds more scenarios and fixes the cropped screen issues it had at launch, so I'm starting it today. 

[AbsolutSurgen]

On 5/24/2020 at 8:27 PM, skillzdadirecta said:

I remember the first time I played The Witcher 2 I didn't enjoy the gameplay that much either because I was trying to play it like a typical action RPG. It doesn't play like that at all really and once I got into the flow of the game, I enjoyed the gameplay MUCH better. I've beaten the game twice i think and plan on doing a third playthrough once I force my way through the first game.  That one is a struggle for me.

I felt I was largely successful in combat playing the first game -- so, I think I was "playing it right".

 

However, in this second game -- I don't have the same feeling.  The mini-games I've played so far is super-easy (arm-wrestling, fist fighting), and one-on-one combat with parrying is really simple.  HOWEVER, the boss fights (particularly the one in the first chapter against Letho), and the scenes where I am swarmed by 5-6 enemies are pretty tough.  I've taken to dodging, running away until I get into a 1-on-1 situation, throwing an Aard sign, hitting him twice, roll-away and repeat. (Using a Swallow/Rook potion, and the appropriate oil on my blade.) To me, it feels like I am cheesing the game.  When I do this, and focus on taking "no hits at all" then I can beat the scenarios pretty easy.  But again, it doesn't feel satisfying -- so I have this feeling that "I'm not playing the game right".

[skillzdadirecta]

5 hours ago, AbsolutSurgen said:

I felt I was largely successful in combat playing the first game -- so, I think I was "playing it right".

 

However, in this second game -- I don't have the same feeling.  The mini-games I've played so far is super-easy (arm-wrestling, fist fighting), and one-on-one combat with parrying is really simple.  HOWEVER, the boss fights (particularly the one in the first chapter against Letho), and the scenes where I am swarmed by 5-6 enemies are pretty tough.  I've taken to dodging, running away until I get into a 1-on-1 situation, throwing an Aard sign, hitting him twice, roll-away and repeat. (Using a Swallow/Rook potion, and the appropriate oil on my blade.) To me, it feels like I am cheesing the game.  When I do this, and focus on taking "no hits at all" then I can beat the scenarios pretty easy.  But again, it doesn't feel satisfying -- so I have this feeling that "I'm not playing the game right".

Yeah Letho kicked my ass the first time I fought him in my first playthrough.  I can't remember what I did the second time, but I do remember him not being as hard. As far as multiple opponents go, I think what I realized is that you have to literally use everything at your disposal... signs,  traps, bombs, throwing knives, everything. The little arena mode the game has kinda teaches you this. Also a leveled up Geralt in W2 is nowhere near as squishy.  

I just remember my second playthrough being a lot more enjoyable than my first because I grasped the "flow" of the game if that makes sense.

[Dre801]

Tomb Raider 2013.  I initially was just gonna play a little to appreciate it @ 4k/60, but damned if this isn't becoming a full playthrough.

[skillzdadirecta]

Finally beat that God damned Guardian Ape today in Sekiro... I have such conflicting feelings about this game that I will elaborate on once I finish it but it increasingly feels like the game is just difficult for difficulty's sake. Looking to beat this game and get some perspective on it so that i can really pass judgement on it.

[Bloodporne]

8 hours ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Finally beat that God damned Guardian Ape today in Sekiro... I have such conflicting feelings about this game that I will elaborate on once I finish it but it increasingly feels like the game is just difficult for difficulty's sake. Looking to beat this game and get some perspective on it so that i can really pass judgement on it.

I like, and even love, quite a few things about Sekiro but I think it legitimately is at meme-levels with From at this point and I think it got annoying with Sekiro. When a damn 3-health-bar boss with multiple phases can kill you easily with two shots and demands near complete perfection to beat, I just think it's become silly. I absolutely love the setting, atmosphere and regular combat but it often feels like 20 minutes of playing and another two days of roadblocks and bashing your head against a mountain of difficulty. There's a gulf between the actual levels' difficulty and the mini-bosses within them especially. 

 

I'd actually go so far as to say my initial playthrough, well I quit at the end boss, was unpleasant and the only thing pushing me forward were the aesthetics and atmosphere and my fanboy-ism for From. I actually really asked myself why the hell I even played it once I finally quit seeing how it put me in a shit mood and made me feel extremely frustrated after nearly every play session. I picked it up twice and played to a certain point when I stopped having fun, that's about it.  

 

 

[Dre801]

I don't do the FromSoftware games for that reason.  I'm just not that kind of gamer anymore.  Hard for the sake of hard isn't for me.

[Remarkableriots]

8 hours ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Finally beat that God damned Guardian Ape today in Sekiro... I have such conflicting feelings about this game that I will elaborate on once I finish it but it increasingly feels like the game is just difficult for difficulty's sake. Looking to beat this game and get some perspective on it so that i can really pass judgement on it.

I want to get it eventually.

[Bloodporne]

I'm currently giving The Last Of Us: Remastered a second shot. I powered through the insanely boring first hour or more and I enjoy the gameplay now that things are picking up a bit but I still have trouble with this structure and pacing. I keep hoping the AI partners get killed somehow in the story and I get to play the game by myself without interruptions. 

[Dodger]

Assassin's Creed Origins the last couple days as I kind of rotate between that and Far Cry 3 Classic and RDR2. Want to get Origins done before I start Odyssey and then Valhalla later this year. 

[atom631]

Still some COD MW19. 
 

trying to pick up FF7R again but I’m just not finding it as good as I hoped. I think I’m on chapter 12 so well past the halfway point (i think) and i just feel like there hasn’t been a ton of story progression to keep my attention. 

[gamer.tv]

With the recent PS+ release, I've given Call of Duty: WW2 a go. It's definitely more Call of Duty and looks pretty rough if I'm honest, however, it's nice to play a very focused Campaign.

[skillzdadirecta]

On 5/27/2020 at 11:18 AM, Bloodporne said:

I like, and even love, quite a few things about Sekiro but I think it legitimately is at meme-levels with From at this point and I think it got annoying with Sekiro. When a damn 3-health-bar boss with multiple phases can kill you easily with two shots and demands near complete perfection to beat, I just think it's become silly. I absolutely love the setting, atmosphere and regular combat but it often feels like 20 minutes of playing and another two days of roadblocks and bashing your head against a mountain of difficulty. There's a gulf between the actual levels' difficulty and the mini-bosses within them especially. 

 

I'd actually go so far as to say my initial playthrough, well I quit at the end boss, was unpleasant and the only thing pushing me forward were the aesthetics and atmosphere and my fanboy-ism for From. I actually really asked myself why the hell I even played it once I finally quit seeing how it put me in a shit mood and made me feel extremely frustrated after nearly every play session. I picked it up twice and played to a certain point when I stopped having fun, that's about it.  

 

 

I’m finding my feelings about the game to mirror yours to be honest. There are a lot of things I like about the game including the setting and basic gameplay loop. But the obnoxious difficulty spikes just make the game laughable at certain points. It’s like this game was designed for streamers to make videos. I get past a difficult part and find a groove and then get to another part that just seems to be designed to troll players. These boss encounters for the most part aren’t even fun. Just frustrating. I’m gonna continue to persevere  and finish the game but it seems that From Software has become a parody of itself at this point. Elden Ring will probably kill you as soon as you press the start button.