Rich
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Post by Rich on Oct 2, 2023 7:11:52 GMT
Nier: Automata
I've completed this now, putting in just shy of 60 hours, but looking back I'm not sure if it was worth it. It's really a 15-20 hour game massively padded out by side quests and lots of running between the same four or five areas again and again and again.
I appreciate it trying to do something different with the multiple perspectives for different playthroughs but don't think it really worked. The second playthrough is far too similar to the first but with an added shit minigame to do a million times, and the third felt disconnected and more like an add on.
I kept playing for the story which seemed to keep promising to go somewhere but just got more nonsensical to the point I had no idea what was going on at the end. There might be another couple of endings or side quests to get that will clear things up but I really can't be bothered.
Play the demo. It shows everything the game has to offer, and is arguably the best bit of the game. Nothing that comes after tops it.
4/10
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MolarAm🔵
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Post by MolarAm🔵 on Oct 2, 2023 8:12:51 GMT
Thank you for your service! To me, Nier: Automata feels like one of those games where people tell me "oh you have to play it for 20 hours to really appreciate it, it's good after that".
Which might actually be true, tbf. But the introduction to it was awful enough, and my time is limited enough, that I don't really feel that I can invest in something that *might* turn out to be good in 20 hours. Not when I've got games that are good right from the beginning.
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Duffman5
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big cook, little cook welcome to our cafe
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Post by Duffman5 on Oct 2, 2023 8:29:23 GMT
I’m looking wistfully at this thread wishing I ever either finished a game or played games that had “an ending” to begin with. I’ll keep an eye out for Kena though based on the comments. I did finish “Wasteland 3” in 2021 on PlayStation and thought it was excellent, 9/10. I complete a very high percentage of games I start, i'e get to the end credits. I do not overly care for trophies or achievements and will play most story driven games on the "story" or easy setting. My fun is experiencing the worlds and enjoying the narrative. Any competitiveness/testing myself I have is sated when I piss and moan at being shite at Gears!
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rhaegyr
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Post by rhaegyr on Oct 2, 2023 10:34:59 GMT
Nier: Automata I've completed this now, putting in just shy of 60 hours, but looking back I'm not sure if it was worth it. It's really a 15-20 hour game massively padded out by side quests and lots of running between the same four or five areas again and again and again. I appreciate it trying to do something different with the multiple perspectives for different playthroughs but don't think it really worked. The second playthrough is far too similar to the first but with an added shit minigame to do a million times, and the third felt disconnected and more like an add on. I kept playing for the story which seemed to keep promising to go somewhere but just got more nonsensical to the point I had no idea what was going on at the end. There might be another couple of endings or side quests to get that will clear things up but I really can't be bothered. Play the demo. It shows everything the game has to offer, and is arguably the best bit of the game. Nothing that comes after tops it. 4/10 Glad I stopped playing halfway through Route B, sadly didn't grab me the way I wanted it to.
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Post by dfunked on Oct 2, 2023 10:37:53 GMT
I can totally see why Nier Automata might not appeal, but the mere mention of it is making me want to start a fourth playthrough...
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Post by snackplissken on Oct 2, 2023 10:47:36 GMT
Do you ever find out why the main character was walking about pretty much bare arse? Or do we file this down to filthy pervert developers.
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Rich
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Post by Rich on Oct 2, 2023 13:04:05 GMT
I assume it's because when we do eventually have realistic humanoid androids, they'll be designed by horny nerds.
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Post by theguy on Oct 2, 2023 15:37:57 GMT
Yea I do think Spiritfarer is wayyy too long for how basic the gameplay loop is, but the stories it tells are extremely touching. Not many games tackle the theme it does. Fair, I didn't connect with all the writing in Spiritfarer but can't deny it certainly has its moments.
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rhaegyr
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Post by rhaegyr on Oct 2, 2023 16:05:53 GMT
Yea I do think Spiritfarer is wayyy too long for how basic the gameplay loop is, but the stories it tells are extremely touching. Not many games tackle the theme it does. Fair, I didn't connect with all the writing in Spiritfarer but can't deny it certainly has its moments. I'm in the same boat - currently playing it at the minute after dropping it a couple of times. Talking to the guests and eventually taking them to the Everdoor is some strong stuff - just wish I didn't have to saw logs, smelt ore and a load of other stuff before getting to these moments. I don't mind doing some of those concepts but it feels a bit too much at times.
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Post by Aunt Alison on Oct 2, 2023 16:36:12 GMT
I could see what they were going for but none of the characters resonated with me so I didn't find it affecting. Usually when you progress in these kinds of games, you unlock things that make the busywork more automated and less of a hassle but they just kept adding more and more of it in Spiritfarer Cult of the Lamb does it much better and also looks fantastic. Doesn't even remotely have the same vibe as Spiritfarer (maybe even the opposite as you can willfully sacrifice your followers) but if you like Lovcraftian stuff, the small world they've created is full of wierdness and interesting characters I did feel a bit sad when my first wife started hobbling around with a walking stick and eventually dropped dead
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Tomo
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Post by Tomo on Oct 2, 2023 18:30:06 GMT
Fair, I didn't connect with all the writing in Spiritfarer but can't deny it certainly has its moments. I'm in the same boat - currently playing it at the minute after dropping it a couple of times. Talking to the guests and eventually taking them to the Everdoor is some strong stuff - just wish I didn't have to saw logs, smelt ore and a load of other stuff before getting to these moments. I don't mind doing some of those concepts but it feels a bit too much at times. Yep agreed. The Everdoor trips are heart wrenching. Think it's possibly the first game to make me cry. The old dear with dementia was particularly close to the bone. But not the only one.
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apollo
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Post by apollo on Oct 2, 2023 19:22:56 GMT
Cocoon
The EG 5/5 review is way off, I think it has some nice puzzles but has some bad boss fights who become a bit cheap and the camera sometimes does not help (the last boss fight - which is not end of the game is easy compared to all the others). They need to balance that
Also right near the end, the puzzles become really diffcult, I need a walkthrough for the end part as become jumping into orb after orb like orb-inception.
Play it on gamepass as once you complete it, you will never play it again
7/10
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Post by theguy on Oct 2, 2023 19:35:23 GMT
Fair, I didn't connect with all the writing in Spiritfarer but can't deny it certainly has its moments. I'm in the same boat - currently playing it at the minute after dropping it a couple of times. Talking to the guests and eventually taking them to the Everdoor is some strong stuff - just wish I didn't have to saw logs, smelt ore and a load of other stuff before getting to these moments. I don't mind doing some of those concepts but it feels a bit too much at times. Yeah it just feels like the game getting in its own way a lot. It's a shame because Spiritfarer does some stuff right up my street and I really wanted to like it. Initially it started off pretty good too, but it's just obsessed with putting menial tasks in your way for the sake of it. The gameplay just doesn't evolve either. I wouldn't even mind some of the tasks if they were remotely engaging.
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Post by harrypalmer on Oct 2, 2023 20:43:34 GMT
Armoured Core 6 - 10/10
Right up there with the very best of From Soft.
Ridiculously fun, varied combat (although I tanked through most of the game with a, erm, tank), exceptional art design and banging music. It looks stunning and is filled with memorable characters, bosses, gut wrenching decisions and phenomenal set-pieces. Very strong metal gear vibes.
It can be tough, but it’s nowhere near the same difficulty as the souls games, and it feels like it wants to be enjoyed, it’s a pure game. I’m honestly in awe of how much fun this was.
Pretty sure I got the bad ending but will hopefully be mucking about in NG+ soon, but Baldurs Gate character creation is calling.
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Post by Aunt Alison on Oct 3, 2023 12:17:29 GMT
The Darkness
From a gameplay perspective, it's very shallow and not really all that good. For the most part it's a very basic FPS with poor gunplay and not very many or interesting special abilities. Which is a shame because the story, charcters and world are great. Although I'd also decribe the world as being pretty spartan itself. Aside from a few side quests (that are of no consequence), there's nothing else to do or find except some collectibles. There are rarely any NPCs to talk to and most areas are deserted apart from a few mooks to kill
But the game still has a great mood and atmosphere. It reminds me a lot of Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines and I think the gameplay of that game would have suited this perfectly. More RPG elements - more customisation and abilities to choose from, interesting side missions and ways to approach things, greater dialogue options. The abilities you get in the game are fine, there are about 4 of them, but you can't do anything interesting with them. Honestly felt like the actual gameplay was there because they needed to give the player something to do
Now and again, and especially towards the end, it kind of teases the idea that you have some agency over the outcome, so I tried to avoid killing people where I could, which was annoying as the game is really not designed for that. But the game only has one story to tell. It's a good one though - and well told - and the dream world stuff is really cool. Almost Silent Hill like at times
Had a couple of moments when I was stuck for too long because I had to do a 'puzzle' that involved doing something I'd never had to do before (or again after), which is just annoying and poor game design
It's got cult game written all over it. All janky but it's got a soul
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rhaegyr
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Post by rhaegyr on Oct 3, 2023 14:41:06 GMT
NORCO (Steam deck) - 9/10 Pixel-art point and click similar in tone to Disco Elysium. Set during or shortly after the climate emergency, there's weird shit going on, and you're embroiled in a classic noir who-dun-what. It looks stunning, and the music slaps! It's relatively linear and logical for a point n click but there are moments of frustration. I found the ending really emotional so it's definitely worth sticking with, and it's only about 5 hrs long. Just finished this but unfortunately thought the ending was the worst part of the game. Damn shame as everything up until the Pond/Ark was fantastic.
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JonFE
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Uncomfortably numb...
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Post by JonFE on Oct 3, 2023 15:30:30 GMT
I assume it's because when we do eventually have realistic humanoid androids, they'll be designed by horny nerds. ...and that day cannot come (ooh matron) soon enough...
/actually enjoyed Nier: Automata for non-pervert reasons
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Post by dangerousdave on Oct 4, 2023 10:14:26 GMT
Dredge - Series X
This is actually a very chill game that can be quite addictive if you’re a bit of a completionist, like myself. Despite the horror theme, you’re really just a fisherman doing the rounds at a leisurely pace. You find a fishing spot, you fish, you sell fish, you buy upgrades, you repeat. It’s a rather satisfying loop because the more you play, the faster and more efficient you become. The better your boat, the further you can travel and that is how you drive the narrative and overall goal, which is a pretty simple mystery.
It has reminded me that I can be way to thorough when playing open-world or sandbox-like games. Something I consciously tried to avoid when playing this, but it’s both short enough and enjoyable enough that I have enjoyed mopping pretty much everything up. Just a few crabs left to add to the Encyclopaedia and I think I’ll have done everything the game has to offer.
Like with most games of this ilk, I wish I’d played it on Switch instead as it is so easy to pick up and play, but it’s worth a punt on whatever is your platform of choice.
Recommended/4 Stars
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Derblington
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Did you know I have a girlfriend
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Post by Derblington on Oct 5, 2023 9:42:10 GMT
Under the Waves Finished this a couple of weeks ago. Really enjoyed the atmosphere being on the ocean floor and pootling around in the sub. It's a bit Alan Wake-y in it's weird and creepy horror angle but that aspect can be a bit laborious with the forced walking. Also, missed a single collectible that's only present in one part of the game and needed to do a second playthrough, which was crap. Much quicker the second time through, but still irritating.
Somerville The worst of the Playdead-in-origin studios games but I still enjoyed it. Light on gameplay, heavy on narrative, I liked their take on the alien invasion and the art style.Not sure I quite understood all the endings but glad I finally got around to playing it. Finished that and rolled straight into...
Cocoon In contrast to Somerville, this is heavy on puzzles and light on narrative and the best of the Playdead-in-origin studios games! I started and finished this in one sitting yesterday evening. It's fantastic, and the late game world orb matryoshka puzzles are excellent.
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Post by pierrepressure on Oct 5, 2023 13:21:57 GMT
Starfield - 7/10
I've only been playing Bethesda games since Oblivion but I started getting burnt out on them around Fallout 4.
Its been mentioned before but I think you really lose some of the immersion with the constant loading.
Perhaps due to my circumstances I couldn't dedicate the time to invest in all the systems but I mainlined a lot of the game and it felt pretty soulless.
Here's hoping for a bit of an overhaul with the next Elder Scrolls.
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Post by beastmaster on Oct 6, 2023 8:08:54 GMT
Quake 2 - 10/10
Just the normal campaign on normal level. Brilliant game. Will revisit for a quick blast every now and then but now onto Assassin’s Creed: Mirage.
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Post by Rubicon on Oct 6, 2023 8:53:42 GMT
28. Far Cry 3 (PC)
My first time playing and from what I gather is still considered one of the best in the series.
From what I remember of FC2 it feels like an improvement on that but it's the characters and performances that elevate it with Vaas in particular being a standout. Visually the game is bright and colourful and the theme of madness allows them to do some interesting things level design wise on a couple of occasions. I also don't think its quite hit the peak of being littered with icons that later Ubisoft games would.
Unusually I did experience a lot of crashes but thankfully it autosaves often enough that nothing is lost. The side missions that are there I don't think hit the same quality as the main story. A little niggle I had is when driving I'd have liked to have been able to hold the map in Jasons off hand (like FC2) as having to go into the menu all the time was quite annoying, especially when it doesn't always centre on your position and doesn't standout on the map.
All in all though I enjoyed my time on Rook island.
8/10
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Post by ToomuchFluffy on Oct 6, 2023 17:58:40 GMT
Yep, the menu juggling and the cluttered map were annoying. I didn't like it all that much and almost quit a few times. Mostly felt like a downgrade to me.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Oct 6, 2023 19:35:39 GMT
Devil May Cry 3.
Don't call it a comeback... actually, you may as well, 'cause that's what it is. (Besides, who am I to tell you what to do?)
After the good-but-janky Devil May Cry, and the peanut-encrusted turd that was Devil May Cry 2, the third outing in the series is a remarkable return to form.
No more monosyllabic, edgelord Dante (not until the remake, anyway) - here our protagonist is back to being a likeable, albeit somewhat murderous, goofball.
No more gun-only sections, either: the focus is very much on hack and slash melee combat, just as it should be. And what a combat system it is, too! The different weapons and styles offer a crazy amount of flexibility, while enemy variety is finally broad enough to stave off ennui.
No more cringeworthy voice acting, I'm pleased to say, as everyone involved did a really good job; yes, the script is still corny as hell, but at least the actors own it. (Particular props to the guy who voiced Jester, leaving not a single square inch of scenery unchewed in the process.)
DMC diehards seem to view this as the series' real starting point, and having played through the original PS2 trilogy back to back, I can see why. If the first game was a good start, and the second inexplicably focused on all the bits of the original that *didn't* work, the third represents the point at which everything came together properly at last.
It's by no means perfect - I don't think difficult boss fights are a particularly good fit for this franchise, and some of the jank is very much present and correct - but it is a very good game indeed.
8/10.
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Post by Aunt Alison on Oct 6, 2023 20:14:55 GMT
Have to say, I've never really got the love for Dante as a character. Not that fussed about his design either. Virgil has always been the cool one. He's so handsome in V
Did you not enjoy the Virgil fights in 3? The rival battles are always the highlights in these games. Dante/Virgil, Bayo/Jeanne/Lumen Sage, etc
Jeanne is also the cooler character in that series
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Oct 6, 2023 20:56:13 GMT
I'm with you there - I don't rate Dante all that highly myself, but I quite liked him in 1 and 3.
In 2 he was just such a Kevin the Teenager type, all brooding and grumpy.
Lucia: "Now we can stop Arius's ambition!"
Dante: "Whatever."
Vergil is easily the cooler of the brothers, especially with his katana/parry playstyle, and the three fights with him were by far the best boss encounters in DMC3 for my money.
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Post by Samildanach on Oct 7, 2023 8:39:27 GMT
A quick time skip from my normal shmups where I am currently working through July 1992's entries; here, I delve into the two below, mainly because they came on sale ...something that almost never happens to the Arcade Archive releases:
Halley's Comet Jan '86 Early vertical scrolling shmup by Taito where you defend the planets against giant comets. Each level begins close to the planets surface before shooting up towards the fast approaching comet, taking out the hordes of enemy on the approach. Let too many through and it is gameover but luckily you can build up quite an impressive firepower for such an early shooter. In fact the gameplay as a whole seems more slick and modern than its age suggests. There is even a gadget on the right that shows how close you are to the imposing comet. Reach it and you blast your way into its mechanical interior, eventually taking out the master computer. Then it's off to the next planet to do it all again. The game does eventually get repetitive due to lack of variety, but it is good for a quick blast. 3/5
Fighting Hawk Autumn '88 Another Taito shooter, this time being one of the many copies of Toaplan's genre defining Hishouzame (Flying Shark) of 1987. Unfortunately this effort is so by the numbers that it is no surprise that it is practically unknown now. The military visuals are humdrum, the music far inferior to its peers, and while the gameplay has nothing wrong with it, I can't help but be rather bored by its lack of originality. 2/5
Also on sale is in Arcade Archives releases of Darius, Pulstar and Metal Slug 5 among others, so worth picking up now if you have any interest, as they won't go on sale again for a long time, if ever.
Finally Darius II has just been released in the Arcade Archive line. Probably not worth it if you have it in M2's superior Darius Cozmic Collection already, but much cheaper if not. For the completionist however, it is the three screen version as opposed to the 2 screen on the Cozmic Collection, so like a chump I bought it (and it is as good and infuriatingly difficult as ever).
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Post by dfunked on Oct 7, 2023 12:41:05 GMT
Jedi Survivor (SX) - 7/10
It never really excels in combat or the metroidvania elements for me. The difficulty ended up getting turned down to story mode just to power through the last bit, as it gets pretty combat heavy and really highlighted my frustrations with it. The story is pretty solid, even if I could tell a certain story beat was coming from the moment a character was introduced. Graphics are absolutely lovely in places (ship landing scenes especially), but rough around the edges elsewhere with lots of jarring pop-in.
BD-1 is such a great sidekick. I'm quite tempted to get the pricey Lego set of him.
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apollo
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Post by apollo on Oct 8, 2023 9:13:21 GMT
Gotham Knights - 6/10
Posted some thoughts/ramble in the what you playing thread. Its disappointing they messed it up as no doubt it started as Live service with power levels, gear and XP and repeatable dull missions. The combat is big step down compared to Arkham games and makes the combat less fun against tank/lots of health bad guys
Quite liked the story and the side missions when you see other gotham major criminals. Although some time they make you find a informant to beat up to get info and sometimes not easy to find one. Also one side mission you have to escape flood of clay on the bike and its so broken in terms of escaping it, no checkpoints and random deaths even at full health on spikey things (sometimes you can hit them and does tiny damage)
Playing in co-op is better but the 4 player "raid" does not sound fun. Its on gamepass and forza is out this week. This game was never worth full price but if you have GP and wanted "but we have Arkham games at home" and like DC super heroes its worth a play
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wunty
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Pastry Forward
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Post by wunty on Oct 8, 2023 10:51:34 GMT
Resident Evil 4 & Separate Ways DLC
We didn’t get on at first. I thought RE was at fault. I went into this relationship with a closed mind. I wanted it to change, to be what I thought it should be. I set it an impossible task and walked away when it failed to meet my expectations. After some time apart I did some soul searching, and I asked it to give me a second chance. It wasn’t RE4 after all, it was me. It was always me. We’re happy now. I get it. I’m there for it and look, we have this wonderful DLC together now. Which is the best of both of us. For once I can look to the future and see us all together. For many more playthroughs. I won’t take it for granted or ask it to change again.
I love you RE4 / 10
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