What game(s) are you playing now?

[Onderhond]

Ghosts 'n' Goblins for NES was a nightmare.

Yup, exactly. Mega Man, Battletoads, Ghosts and Goblins are all games I spent 100+ hours with and never beat.

Different times though! Back then, I could only afford 2/3 games per year, so got stuck playing the same one over and over again. I actually managed to beat G&G twice in a single run (to get the good ending). Battle of Olympus and Kid Icarus were also pretty damn hard.

The one I never managed to beat was Rad Gravity. Got to the boss ... but he was just too tricky.

[flavo5000]

Ghosts 'n' Goblins for NES was a nightmare.

Yup, exactly. Mega Man, Battletoads, Ghosts and Goblins are all games I spent 100+ hours with and never beat.

Different times though! Back then, I could only afford 2/3 games per year, so got stuck playing the same one over and over again. I actually managed to beat G&G twice in a single run (to get the good ending). Battle of Olympus and Kid Icarus were also pretty damn hard.

The one I never managed to beat was Rad Gravity. Got to the boss ... but he was just too tricky.

I have beaten Kid Icarus and yea, that was a frustrating game. Never played Battle of Olympus. I had Monster Party which was just a crazy game (it's still easily one of the weirdest NES games ever made).

[Onderhond]

I have beaten Kid Icarus and yea, that was a frustrating game. Never played Battle of Olympus. I had Monster Party which was just a crazy game (it's still easily one of the weirdest NES games ever made).

Hah, never even heard of that one. Screenshots look funky though.

More topical, there's also the Takeshi Kitano game, which was designed to be as frustrating as possible

[outdoorcats]

Stories are usually terrible in video games anyways

And hey, as long as they aren't pushed to the forefront and the game isn't story-oriented, that's usually fine, right? I just can't remember a game so weirdly confident in its horrible writing that they make it a centerpiece of the game experience.

[Pretentious Hipster]

Stories are usually terrible in video games anyways

And hey, as long as they aren't pushed to the forefront and the game isn't story-oriented, that's usually fine, right? I just can't remember a game so weirdly confident in its horrible writing that they make it a centerpiece of the game experience.

That's usually how I treat it. Unless it's very plot-oriented then it'll lose some points for me. My problem with a lot of modern games is that they replicate hollywood with their style of plot, when games should be treated as a different medium. One of the reasons why I love point and click games so much. They know how to do a plot differently.

[dirty_score]

[sebby]

I am actually halfway through my first playthrough of TLOU II. My early conclusion is that it's a very good game that shouldn't exist. There were probably 100 different paths they could have taken with a sequel and they chose like the 88th best option. But it really is so damn well-constructed, technically speaking.

Here's hoping the next game is a prequel.

[mjf314]

A few days ago I played Shovel Knight for about an hour. It's ok, but not good enough to make me want to finish it. It's kind of like Mega Man, but your weapon is a shovel. Unfortunately I'm not really a fan of Mega Man.

Today I started playing Ico. I don't like the way the camera works, which is disappointing because it otherwise seems like a good game. I'm not sure if I'll finish it.

[flavo5000]

I played through Inmost last week. Pretty solid puzzle platformer in the style of Limbo and Little Nightmares.

[mjf314]

I finished Ico. Like I said before, they did a horrible job on the camera. There are older 3D games with a better camera (OoT, SM64), so there's no excuse. Also some parts are too dark and hard to see, and the fights are a little bit tedious. Otherwise it's not a bad game. The architecture of the castle is interesting, they do a good job of creating atmosphere, and the character animation looks good. The puzzles would've been better if it wasn't so hard to see.

I started playing Rayman Legends. It just seems to me like an inferior version of Donkey Kong Country. I think the DKC games had better physics and better music. I might play a little bit more to get to the end of the first world, but I probably won't finish the game.

[Onderhond]

Not sure if it's the first or second one, but the musical levels in Rayman Legends are amazing

[mjf314]

Not sure if it's the first or second one, but the musical levels in Rayman Legends are amazing

I just played the first music level and I wasn't impressed.

The more I play this game, the more I hate the physics. According to this article, the creator of Rayman doesn't like Mario games because "I don’t like gliding, I don’t like its inertia, and I don’t like not being able to give some slaps!" This doesn't make sense to me, because the inertia is exactly what I dislike about Rayman. This game has a ridiculous amount of inertia, which makes every single level feel like an ice level. It takes forever to turn around. If you're standing still and facing right, it takes forever to start running left. If you run in the direction you're already facing, then there's not enough inertia, which makes it difficult to run a short distance.

[Pretentious Hipster]

No offense but saying "this isn't as good as the greatest game of *insert genre*" and that being the reason to not play for too much longer will make you not like anything. I can't imagine someone doing that with films for example.

[mjf314]

No offense but saying "this isn't as good as the greatest game of *insert genre*" and that being the reason to not play for too much longer will make you not like anything. I can't imagine someone doing that with films for example.

I think there are a lot of platformers better than Rayman, but I compared it to DKC because they have some similarities.

Films are different because they're shorter. I'm willing to watch a 2 hour film that's average, but I'm not going to finish a 30 hour video game unless it's good (if it's a shorter game then my standards are lower). If I have to play 5 different games for 1 hour, in order to find 1 game that's good enough to play for 30 hours, I think it's worth it.

[mjf314]

I played Deus Ex for an hour, and I think I'm ready to give up. I'm in the training mission, and I ran out of grenades before I figured out what to do with them. As far as I can tell, it's impossible to complete the section without grenades, and impossible to restart the section (unless I restart from the beginning of training, which I don't want to do).

I wish there was some way to check the history of what was said, because if I forget the instructions that they gave me, then I have no idea what to do.

Even if I figure out how to finish the training, I think I'll quit anyway. This game is making me slightly nauseous. The same thing happened when I played Portal. I'm not sure why, because it doesn't happen when I play N64 games.

[outdoorcats]

I played Deus Ex for an hour, and I think I'm ready to give up. I'm in the training mission, and I ran out of grenades before I figured out what to do with them. As far as I can tell, it's impossible to complete the section without grenades, and impossible to restart the section (unless I restart from the beginning of training, which I don't want to do).

I wish there was some way to check the history of what was said, because if I forget the instructions that they gave me, then I have no idea what to do.

Even if I figure out how to finish the training, I think I'll quit anyway. This game is making me slightly nauseous. The same thing happened when I played Portal. I'm not sure why, because it doesn't happen when I play N64 games.

I have that same issue! Not with Deux Ex or Portal, those are both two of my favorite games. But with F.E.A.R. Could only play that one in 30 minute bursts because something about it gave me headaches and nausea (maybe some of the high frequencies in the sound design?).

I haven't played Deux Ex in a while, but I would be surprised if a mission required grenades. One of the things I love about the game is that there's always multiple ways designed to beat every level - or even complete simple tasks. You can play it multiple times as either an action FPS or a stealth game and get pretty different (but equally fun) experiences. It was way ahead of its time in that sense; a turning point for the concept of emergent gameplay.

Speaking of emergent gameplay, I got Elden Ring and have started it (about 15 hours in). It is so, so, so, SO beautiful. This is an incredible gaming experience and I'm just trying to savor every minute of it.

I won't get into it too much, just want to shout out the lack of HUD. The health/etc. bars and items HUD is dynamic and only appears when you're fighting (or switching items); normally the only HUD element on screen is a compass (and the HUD itself is really cool looking and artfully done). This is already how I've been playing most open world games. For instance, with Horizon: Zero Dawn, I started going to the settings to start turning off unnecessary HUD elements or making them dynamic because the game is so beautiful I wanted to make it more cinematic and immersive. Also I've found that with games with mini-maps, I end up just staring at the minimap the whole time and that's not as fun. Then by the time I started Red Dead Redemption 2 I went full no-HUD from the start of the game, as it does such a great job using various animations and cinematic effects to make a HUD completely unnecessary. I'm telling you all, once you go no-HUD, you'll never want to go back.

Also, Margit the Fell Omen is a jerk, his face is stupid and no one even likes him. I'm just a friendly Tarnished going about my own damn business, trying to restore the Elden Ring or whatever, and he comes along and kills me a zillion times while trash talking me to my face the whole time. Completely unnecessary, dude.



I mean, what kind of cloak is that, even? What a fashion nightmare, am I right?

[mjf314]

I haven't played Deux Ex in a while, but I would be surprised if a mission required grenades. One of the things I love about the game is that there's always multiple ways designed to beat every level - or even complete simple tasks. You can play it multiple times as either an action FPS or a stealth game and get pretty different (but equally fun) experiences. It was way ahead of its time in that sense; a turning point for the concept of emergent gameplay.

It was this part in the training mission:



There's a robot behind some glass. There's a door to the right that leads to the area with the robot, so I was supposed to go through the door and kill the robot with a grenade. I used all of the grenades before I realized that the door could be opened. I can't figure out any other way to kill it, and if I don't kill it, it doesn't let me advance to the next section.

[outdoorcats]

Huh, I don't even remember a training mission like that. I remember the game beginning with a cutscene and straight into the first mission. Are you sure it's required to start the game?

[mjf314]

Huh, I don't even remember a training mission like that. I remember the game beginning with a cutscene and straight into the first mission. Are you sure it's required to start the game?

No, it's not required. I still wanted to finish it, so I would know how to play before starting the first mission.

[dirty_score]

Currently playing Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories. This is a game that was frequently delayed and changed hands over time hence the PS3 graphics but I don't mind. It's basically a japanese walking simulator where you help people in need while the city crashes around you and you try to stay alive. There's a lot of silliness but has a lot of charm too, which is keeping me to play it until the end. It's like those disaster movies where you want to see what happens next and root for the main character to survive. Definitely a game about the journey and not the destination. The main frustating thing is the lack of point of direction or hints to tell you where to go or do next leaving you completely lost to the point I needed to check at least 2 times a walkthrough on Youtube.

[hurluberlu]

Huh, I don't even remember a training mission like that. I remember the game beginning with a cutscene and straight into the first mission. Are you sure it's required to start the game?

No, it's not required. I still wanted to finish it, so I would know how to play before starting the first mission.

Like outdoorcat your comments intrigued me so I found the yt video below which is the training walk-through: it takes ten minutes to complete and you are halfway…

Hang in there…

[mjf314]

Like outdoorcat your comments intrigued me so I found the yt video below which is the training walk-through: it takes ten minutes to complete and you are halfway…

Hang in there…

He uses a grenade for that part, so I'd have to start over from the beginning if I wanted to finish it. I tried skipping the training and starting the first mission, but I wasn't enjoying it very much, so I stopped playing.

Anyway I played a few more games since then.

I played A Short Hike. It's exactly what it sounds like. It's a game where you go on a hike. I finished the main objective and some (but not all) of the side quests. I liked it.

I started playing VA-11 Hall-A. It's a visual novel set in a bar. I'm not sure if I'll finish it. The characters and dialogue are good (the dialogue is the main focus of the game), but I wish there were more settings besides the bar. Also the gameplay is repetitive (making drinks).

I started playing Grimm's Hollow, an indie RPG, but I got bored.

[flavo5000]

I started playing VA-11 Hall-A. It's a visual novel set in a bar. I'm not sure if I'll finish it. The characters and dialogue are good (the dialogue is the main focus of the game), but I wish there were more settings besides the bar. Also the gameplay is repetitive (making drinks).

I played through VA-11 Hall-A last year. The drink making part of it is kinda repetitive but I liked it anyway.

I've been playing Afterparty, from the developers of Oxenfree. It's pretty entertaining. Mostly the same gameplay style as Oxenfree but with a much more R-rated silly plotline where you control two friends who have died and gone to Hell and who set out to drink Satan under the table to get out.

I also recently finished There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension which was a fun, offbeat meta-game with some creative puzzles.

And finally I also started playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Really liked the first two of the reboot series and recently got a new gaming laptop that can actually run this well. I'm enjoying this one so far too.

[Pretentious Hipster]

[mjf314]

Who is she? She doesn't look like a Final Fantasy X character.

Do you like the game?

[Pretentious Hipster]

Who is she? She doesn't look like a Final Fantasy X character.

Do you like the game?

It's Britney Spears. Yes she does:



Haven't played it yet but I do own it.

[mjf314]

I finished VA-11 Hall-A. I liked it, and I'm glad I finished it.

I played Doom for about 30 minutes. Just like Deus Ex, this game is making me feel nauseous. I guess I should stop playing first-person games.

[mjf314]

I played GTA: San Andreas for a couple of hours (my first GTA game). It was ok. I don't have any big complaints, but I'd probably like it more if there was less crime and less realism. I guess it's just not one of my favorite genres.

[Pretentious Hipster]

If you hate the realism play with cheats

[mjf314]

If you hate the realism play with cheats

What kind of cheats?

I don't hate it, but I prefer more fantasy-ish settings, so a cheat that just makes it easier wouldn't help.

[TraverseTown]

Tidus was always more of a Meg Ryan than a Britney

[Pretentious Hipster]

[mightysparks]

I loved that game

[dirty_score]

Finished some time ago Martha is Dead, my first 2022 videogame, the one that was censored on the playstation for a grosteque scene but there's a more grosteque scene by the middle of the game. Set in 40's Italy it's a pretty mild walking simulator with a poignant ending.

Finished a few days ago Bioshock Remastered (2016) but didn't like this one bit. Probably would have liked it back when it came out but I think it aged like milk. The atmosphere and setting is wonderful though.

And just yesterday finished Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). Think its the weakest of the reboot series. QTEs and stealth sections have no business in these games.

I feel the need for speed so I'm back to my own challenge and fire up Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (2019).

[flavo5000]

And just yesterday finished Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). Think its the weakest of the reboot series. QTEs and stealth sections have no business in these games.

I also recently finished this one. While it didn't grab me as much as the previous two in the series (and yea, does ANYONE like QTEs?), I still had a lot of fun with it despite the stealth sequences which I agree got pretty tiring. The Hidden City was a really fun setting to explore though.

[dirty_score]

And just yesterday finished Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). Think its the weakest of the reboot series. QTEs and stealth sections have no business in these games.

I also recently finished this one. While it didn't grab me as much as the previous two in the series (and yea, does ANYONE like QTEs?), I still had a lot of fun with it despite the stealth sequences which I agree got pretty tiring. The Hidden City was a really fun setting to explore though.

I really don't mind QTEs cause I enjoy playing Quantic Dreams (Heavy Rain, Detroid Become Human) and Supermassive Games (The Dark Pictures Anthology) games but those are like interactive movies, doesn't work in games like Tomb Raider. The same goes for stealth, I do suck at it I have to admit, but Lara Croft is no Solid Snake or Agent 47.

It was a pretty game though. Let's see where they go in the next game.

[dirty_score]

Well, I'm playing Paper Mario now, but I know what I'll be playing September 22nd, 2022. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 freshly announced for this year

You're in luck! They bumped it to 29 July.

[flavo5000]

And just yesterday finished Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). Think its the weakest of the reboot series. QTEs and stealth sections have no business in these games.

I also recently finished this one. While it didn't grab me as much as the previous two in the series (and yea, does ANYONE like QTEs?), I still had a lot of fun with it despite the stealth sequences which I agree got pretty tiring. The Hidden City was a really fun setting to explore though.

I really don't mind QTEs cause I enjoy playing Quantic Dreams (Heavy Rain, Detroid Become Human) and Supermassive Games (The Dark Pictures Anthology) games but those are like interactive movies, doesn't work in games like Tomb Raider. The same goes for stealth, I do suck at it I have to admit, but Lara Croft is no Solid Snake or Agent 47.

It was a pretty game though. Let's see where they go in the next game.

I did like Heavy Rain quite a bit but that was more for the story line and less the QTEs.

[Onderhond]

You're in luck! They bumped it to 29 July.

Yea, still a good month too late for it being a potential birthday present. Sucks balls, since I'm quickly becoming that guy who doesn't really need/want anything for his birthday

[mjf314]

I finished playing Okami. I liked it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes 3D Zelda games.

My only complaint is that the celestial brush is frustrating to use. It's an interesting concept, and you use it in interesting ways, but sometimes it's hard to get the game to recognize which brush technique you're trying to do.