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Post by ToomuchFluffy on Oct 21, 2021 6:15:17 GMT
And it's horrendous for Lawful Good too. When you catch some people who might be traitors to the crusade, you can only choose either extremely Good, or extremely Lawful in how to deal with them (or just murder them for the lols, because that's what Evil is!). So it's either "let's forgive them and live together in happiness!", or "EXECUTE THE TRAITORS THEY BROKE THE LAAAAAAAAW" Yeah, that's unfortunately a common problem in computer games that employ the DnD alignment system. I wouldn't say the system is dated, though, it's just that it takes a lot of work to implement it properly in a multiple choice dialogue system. Difficulty may also induce players to take "evil" choices. But that would require the kind of RPG which isn't a power fantasy and perhaps not as combat-oriented.
But as you say, it also needs to be supported by potentially lots of dialogue and ideally the game should follow through on that somehow. Then the context (story, setting, tone, preceding choices, combat-heavy or not etc. etc.) also needs to support "evil" choices. That the option is there in the first place often doesn't make sense in a lot of games. It's less egregious with games that are more about the adventuring and don't always take themselves all that seriously (Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate etc.). In that kind of game it might be ok to simply have more options for replayability even if it perhaps doesn't always make sense, but at least for me I rarely consider those options, even in that kind of RPG.
In my opinion, one way to go would be with something like the Humanity-system from Bloodlines, which at least partially forces the player down the chosen path by removing dialogue options and - I think - also adding some.
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Post by dfunked on Oct 21, 2021 8:45:30 GMT
AM2R - I've never played the original Metroid 2, so no real point of reference here apart from comparing it to the likes of Zero Mission. It's bloody good I have to say, surprisingly so for a fan made effort! Getting very close to the end now if I can actully figure out where to go next.
The Artful Escape - enjoyable enough I suppose. There was a great freeform shredding section after the interview scene that I'll definitely go back and play again, and some of the jams are pretty spectacular despite button inputs not being totally clear.
Destiny 2 - pretty much just dipping in weekly to finish off my climb to 1330 base level (1 character done now) and finish off the seasonal title (two legend shattered realms to go)
I'll give it a break until the anniversary/dawning events then.
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Tomo
Junior Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by Tomo on Oct 21, 2021 11:51:33 GMT
I've started Rime. From what I can tell, it's basically ICO but with Wind Waker graphics. It's very gentle, which I'm enjoying. It's HUD-less too, which really helps with the chilled vibes. No health bar to worry about or inventory management - just get on exploring and soaking up the views.
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zagibu
Junior Member
Posts: 1,984
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Post by zagibu on Oct 21, 2021 11:53:17 GMT
In my opinion, one way to go would be with something like the Humanity-system from Bloodlines, which at least partially forces the player down the chosen path by removing dialogue options and - I think - also adding some. Have you played Tides of Numenera? The Tides are a similar concept to DnD alignments, but with no inherent good/evil scale. There's even a helpful explanation matrix in the wiki: numenera.fandom.com/wiki/Tides#Behind_the_scenes |
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Post by Techno Hippy on Oct 21, 2021 11:54:32 GMT
I've started Rime. From what I can tell, it's basically ICO but with Wind Waker graphics. It's very gentle, which I'm enjoying. It's HUD-less too, which really helps with the chilled vibes. No health bar to worry about or inventory management - just get on exploring and soaking up the views. Loved Rime - it's just a gentle and interesting exploration. |
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Post by Aunt Alison on Oct 21, 2021 16:48:29 GMT
Breath of the Wiiiiiild
I'm really enjoying it. I think one of the main reasons I didn't enjoy it before is because I was bee lining the shrines. I've been taking my time to explore everywhere and fighting enemies a lot more. The weapons breaking isn't nearly as annoying as I'm constantly getting new ones and arrows/bows. I've even got a few areas marked on the map where I know I can get an axe, sledgehammer, korok leaf, etc for special occassions so I don't need to keep them on me
There aren't dungeons but I think the shrines plus the more clever korok puzzles make up for that and don't keep you from exploring like a dungeon would. Uncovering some of the shrine locations have been pretty nifty as well
The actual size of the game still stresses me out a bit but I usually forget about it and get lost in exploring wherever I am, until I've been playing it for hours and realise I haven't really done anything tangible, then look at the map and realise I've still only uncovered 2 areas. I'm trying to stay within a region at a time but there's always stuff I want to go off and explore on the periphery. A little trip down to the beach ended up lasting hours and now I've gone off in completely the opposite direction to where I was heading before
There's so many little details, like dogs shaking themselves off when it stops raining and dialgue changing to reflect the weather. You can knock tree trunks into the water and ride them!
The only issue I have with it is when you open a chest for new weapon but your inventory is full. The sensible thing would be to pop up your inventory and let you swap it out but you have to close the chest, go into the menu, drop a weapon and then open the chest again. That's pretty bad design
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Post by Danno on Oct 21, 2021 18:03:28 GMT
We told you, we all told you.
Also look out for some random noise about a year after you finish it, that instantly makes you to play it again. The sound desigb is right up there for me
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2021 18:06:34 GMT
It's the perfect game to play after a spliff. Just wondering about seeing what takes your fancy. I loved playing it
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Post by Danno on Oct 21, 2021 18:17:56 GMT
It's just gorgeous. So, so many little "oh!" moments, a good number of WOWWWW! moments and so few frustrations/busywork/icon hunts* compared to almost any other open world. I totally get that weapons breaking are a dealbreaker for some people, and as an avid climber of things the rain was a proper curse but those aside it's perfect, to me.
*They nailed this by making you create you own iconhunts. It's genius
Eta: I know you weren't talking to me Rum, but I can babble about this game a lot, so I did.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2021 18:20:02 GMT
Some freaks LIKED the breakable weapons rather than just accepting it because the rest of the game is so good.
Freaks.
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Post by Aunt Alison on Oct 21, 2021 18:20:20 GMT
Those big stone golem things were something I just avoided last time but they're fun to fight. Take out the arms, get on the back and do a charge spin attack with the sledgehammer on their exposed back testicle
I've dyed my Hylian garb green with white trousers as God intended and bought a house from a problematic builder
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Post by ToomuchFluffy on Oct 21, 2021 19:01:37 GMT
In my opinion, one way to go would be with something like the Humanity-system from Bloodlines, which at least partially forces the player down the chosen path by removing dialogue options and - I think - also adding some. Have you played Tides of Numenera? The Tides are a similar concept to DnD alignments, but with no inherent good/evil scale. There's even a helpful explanation matrix in the wiki: numenera.fandom.com/wiki/Tides#Behind_the_scenesYes, I have, but without a second playthrough it's kind of hard to say how it really works. Or if it actually did much.
In any case, I have just finished Dishonored 2 (21+ hours). I had some issues with the plot and also occasionally the tendency to shoehorn in drama where it wasn't needed, but overall I liked it as much as the first game. I don't have much to offer in terms of analysis, but I have to emphasize again how fun it is to explore above the streets and on the rooftops. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I felt that levels were more open and it was easier to explore and to evade enemies in most situations. Especially because of how easy it was to move around above ground. And on top of that there were also more options for non-combat gameplay. I think the second game flowed a little better overall.
Mesmerize seemed a little broken though.
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Post by Aunt Alison on Oct 21, 2021 19:09:58 GMT
Yes, I have, but without a second playthrough it's kind of hard to say how it really works. Or if it actually did much.
In any case, I have just finished Dishonored 2 (21+ hours). I had some issues with the plot and also occasionally the tendency to shoehorn in drama where it wasn't needed, but overall I liked it as much as the first game. I don't have much to offer in terms of analysis, but I have to emphasize again how fun it is to explore above the streets and on the rooftops. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I felt that levels were more open and it was easier to explore and to evade enemies in most situations. Especially because of how easy it was to move around above ground. And on top of that there were also more options for non-combat gameplay. I think the second game flowed a little better overall.
Mesmerize seemed a little broken though.
Yeah, basically every mission was Life of the Party from Thief 2. The atmosphere on the street sections is really good too |
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cubby
Full Member
doesn't get subtext
Posts: 6,417
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Post by cubby on Oct 21, 2021 19:15:23 GMT
Those big stone golem things were something I just avoided last time but they're fun to fight. Take out the arms, get on the back and do a charge spin attack with the sledgehammer on their exposed back testicle I've dyed my Hylian garb green with white trousers as God intended and bought a house from a problematic builder That builder can fuck off! Go away! |
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zagibu
Junior Member
Posts: 1,984
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Post by zagibu on Oct 21, 2021 20:18:30 GMT
Yes, I have, but without a second playthrough it's kind of hard to say how it really works. Or if it actually did much. Well, for one, you can't become the changing god if you don't have the right dominant tides. But yeah, besides an achievement and some different text in the epilogue, it doesn't really do anything. And the developer itself has said that the tides in general only affect some NPC reactions and dialogue options, and don't have major quest relevant effects. But still I found it quite liberating that they didn't try to shoehorn good or evil into the system. You could be an impulsive asshole and get red tides, or an impulsive nice guy, and still get red tides. |
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LTK
New Member
Posts: 276
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Post by LTK on Oct 21, 2021 23:02:33 GMT
I reinstalled Nuclear Throne purely to get a screenshot for the guess the game thread, but goddamn, it's STILL fun. I got a bunch of other stuff I could be playing but the thrill of the throne is just too alluring, now that I got the taste for it again.
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Tomo
Junior Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by Tomo on Oct 21, 2021 23:10:37 GMT
Still playing Valheim with friends. Crossed the 100 hour mark last week. Goddamn incredible game. Needs to come to consoles ASAP.
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Post by ToomuchFluffy on Oct 22, 2021 6:41:51 GMT
Yes, I have, but without a second playthrough it's kind of hard to say how it really works. Or if it actually did much. Well, for one, you can't become the changing god if you don't have the right dominant tides. But yeah, besides an achievement and some different text in the epilogue, it doesn't really do anything. And the developer itself has said that the tides in general only affect some NPC reactions and dialogue options, and don't have major quest relevant effects. But still I found it quite liberating that they didn't try to shoehorn good or evil into the system. You could be an impulsive asshole and get red tides, or an impulsive nice guy, and still get red tides. That's good to know. Personally I don't care too much if something is supposedly "just" flavour, I really enjoy that kind of stuff. Most of the system in Arcanum for instance is basically just about reactions to your race, magical/technological alignment, gender, Charisma and Beauty and so on. Though I'm not sure how much of it is purely just different text. Some of it definitely has consequences like not being able to use the train anymore as a magic-user. |
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Post by Wizzard_Ook on Oct 22, 2021 8:35:54 GMT
Finally got round to Starting Hades. God it’s good. Well it’s made a good strong first impression. Can see why people love it. Feels really good to play.
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スコットランド
Junior Member
Delicious gruel
Posts: 3,934
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Post by スコットランド on Oct 22, 2021 9:34:52 GMT
60 hours into Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, loving it.
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Graxlar
New Member
Nervous and skittish
Posts: 186
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Post by Graxlar on Oct 22, 2021 9:48:07 GMT
Balders gate 3 - I thought I would try it again after it’s patch 6 was released. Sorcerer is a lot of fun to play with but it seems even more buggy that originally released and still no increase in level cap.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2021 9:53:53 GMT
Outer Wilds
I restarted it as I got sidetracked by Subnautica BZ and want I want to give it a proper chance.
The 22min time loop has been a bit annoying but I think once I know where I'm going it won't be so much of a hindrance. If I could fly the ship like I wasn't a drink driver would save time too.
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Post by Sarfrin on Oct 23, 2021 22:49:43 GMT
Just finished the Clockwork Mansion in Dishonored 2. I left behind a couple of bonecharms that I have no idea how to find. I also had to look up how to kill clockwork soldiers because although it's relatively easy it isn't well signposted and they can seem really hard to get rid of if you're not on a combat focused playthrough. I did like (white text because the spoiler tag doesn't seem to work)that you can rewire the zapper in the main ground floor room and lure the two clockwork bastards stopping you from leaving into it at the end.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2021 21:31:54 GMT
Last of us 2
Refined if otherwise near identical gameplay to the first but I appreciate the more ambitious storytelling, even if it can lack focus and be painfully on the nose at times.
Also, Abby rules.
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Post by richyroo on Oct 24, 2021 21:55:54 GMT
Crysis Remastered Trilogy.
I can remember really liking Crysis 2 on the 360 and enjoying Crysis 3 on my PC. Thought I would give the remastered trilogy a play through, especially as I have never played the 1st game in the series.
Crysis 1, this was a bit “meh”. The gameplay I didn’t find particularly satisfying. At least the 2nd half of the game was better than the 1st when they ditched the open levels.
Crysis 2, excellent gunplay. Really enjoying this one again, some of the most satisfying gunplay of any 1st person shooter I have played. Shame the story is a bit rubbish though.
Crysis 3, still playing Crysis 2
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Post by suicida on Oct 24, 2021 22:33:48 GMT
I'm 40 hours in to Atelier Ryza and absolutely loving it. The crafting system is so fucking good, with what seems like endless depth to it. So satisfying to craft a really good item and then go out and stomp all over the mobs with it. It's a really good looking game on Switch too, IMO.
The battles were all rather easy, so I bumped the difficulty up to Hard and it's a lot better, once I got over the initial confusion regarding the battle system
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Tomo
Junior Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by Tomo on Oct 24, 2021 23:10:57 GMT
I started Bloodstained tonight. Was enjoying it and then got to the first boss... Nnnnrghhh. The tentacle whip feels particularly unfair given it emerges from the background in what is a 2.5D game I guess. Anyway, will give it another bash, but it's an insta difficulty spike.
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Post by Blackice on Oct 25, 2021 9:39:08 GMT
I started Bloodstained tonight. Was enjoying it and then got to the first boss... Nnnnrghhh. The tentacle whip feels particularly unfair given it emerges from the background in what is a 2.5D game I guess. Anyway, will give it another bash, but it's an insta difficulty spike. I had the same thoughts. I was enjoying it until that boss, but I never managed to get past it so uninstalled. I think I have to face up to the fact that I can't play games like this any more. I'm old, my reflexes are shot, my tolerance of repeating boss fights is at an all time low, and frankly I think I'm done with 2D boss fights in general after 35ish years gaming. My recent past is littered with games like Bloodstained that I've just had to give up on at the first or second boss fight. Even games that I really like and would love to continue playing have had to be abandoned (Dead Cells, Hollow Night). Time for me to admit defeat, slip on a tweed jacket and comfy slippers, and get into some obscure turn-based wargames... |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2021 10:11:53 GMT
I've dipped into Dead by Daylight and it's surprisingly good fun. Thinking about getting a couple of the add-ons for it. I'll probably only get so far playing no comms with randoms but it's incredibly tense.
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Tomo
Junior Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by Tomo on Oct 25, 2021 19:08:29 GMT
I started Bloodstained tonight. Was enjoying it and then got to the first boss... Nnnnrghhh. The tentacle whip feels particularly unfair given it emerges from the background in what is a 2.5D game I guess. Anyway, will give it another bash, but it's an insta difficulty spike. I had the same thoughts. I was enjoying it until that boss, but I never managed to get past it so uninstalled. I think I have to face up to the fact that I can't play games like this any more. I'm old, my reflexes are shot, my tolerance of repeating boss fights is at an all time low, and frankly I think I'm done with 2D boss fights in general after 35ish years gaming. My recent past is littered with games like Bloodstained that I've just had to give up on at the first or second boss fight. Even games that I really like and would love to continue playing have had to be abandoned (Dead Cells, Hollow Night). Time for me to admit defeat, slip on a tweed jacket and comfy slippers, and get into some obscure turn-based wargames... I sympathise - I sorta abandoned Dead Cells for similar reasons, although I've been meaning to go back to it. I absolutely smashed HK though, which is why I'm inclined to persist with Bloodstained. I had a bumpy start with HK, but eventually settled into it. The big difference with Bloodstained though is that you can't go off and explore other areas before returning to the boss. |
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