What Are You Playing?

[nomad]

Just finished playing Ghost of Yotei. As I tend to be a sucker for story driven games like these, I can say I enjoyed every moment. Doesn't stream too off from its predecessor should anyone here would expect the re-invention of the wheel. Their formula works and they are sticking with it. Other than some minor differences in graphics (Tsushima was beautiful to begin with) and a few mechanics that could be arguably stated to be different... It's ultimately the same. Instead of stances, now you have weapons to choose from.

Where it shines is the story, and gameplay. A lot of the boss fights I can say was very enjoyable. Some scenes that I can say I wasn't expecting to shine did in a very Hirasawa fashion... And that's a good thing. Collectibles aren't as repetitive as its predecessor, however they are still collectibles for those who seek completion. The stakes are not as high as its predecessor, but where it lacks in scale, it does add to emotion. One view going in this game that I had was asking how will they do a sequel that could top the original story. And in a sense they didn't, instead they went into a more common direction that put me in a place where there was space to focus in all the areas that needed to in the story.

Heavily recommend if your into story driven games like Horizon, Tsushima and Last of Us. I also recommend using the Watanabe game mode (adds the Lo-Fi Samurai Shamploo like music)

 

[ahwala]

After my negativity towards Silksong I want to make a positive recommendation:

Withering Rooms!

Apparently a single dev (no doubt he bought some assets and outsourced some other work) who made a game that's hard to describe or put into a box. 2.5d-sidescroller "roguelite RPG" with themes and mechanics inspired by countless prior works; Alice in Wonderland, Lovecraft, Silent Hill, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Clock Tower, Fatal Frame and more. It has different stats, level-ups, equipment-systems (armors, rings, amulets..), a sanity-mechanic, NPC questlines with some C&C, vastly different build options (magic, melee, ranged, even guns), exploration is great, story is interesting, nice atmosphere, beautiful music, much optional content, four different endings.

I'm surprised the game isn't talked about more, considering it mixes so many different systems, all of which kinda work well together and enhance each other, all developed by a single dev.

My GOTY 2024.

If anything of that description makes you interested in the game, I encourage you to check it out.
It even has NG+ which introduces new mechanics and a new ending.
I 100%ed the game, and the amount of content is more than worth the small prize.

EDIT: With Tormented Souls 2 less than a week away from being released (and which will probably the next game I'll play), and it being shocktober and all, I want to also recommend the original Tormented Souls, which is imo the best modern take on the classic Resident Evil formula, with a bit of Silent Hill mixed in. Fixed cam angles with tank controls and a beautiful old museum turned hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2/3rds of the game, especially the exploration, atmosphere and puzzles (which are a bit more on the tricky side compared to other modern games in the genre). Graphics are superb, voice acting and the main character are a bit wonky and the game kinda takes a dive towards the end. Still a fantastic game, even for the 20 bucks full prize, but it's 70%+ off regularly.

 

[Espada]

Currently playing, Dark souls 2, Battlefield 3 and 4, Need for speed most wanted (2009), God of war ascension (completing it), GTA 3, Assassin's creed 4: Black flag, Call of duty Modern warfare 2 (old one)...
Only new game i play is minecraft.

 

[Aazealh]

Only new game i play is minecraft.

Minecraft came out in 2011.

 

[ahwala]

Sorry to report Tormented Souls 2 is disappointing.

After a promising start in the Convent with some interesting puzzles and good level-design, the game becomes completely unfocused (while still having linear progression), the clunky combat, which I usually like in Resident Evil-likes becomes unfair with too many fast and tanky enemies and the additional darkness mechanic (you can't fight enemies when there's a certain level of darkness), and on top of that this darkness mechanic is inconsistent: in some places where you'd think there'd be enough light to put away the lighter and fight, you can't, while in others which are almost pitch-black, you can. The boss fights are shit and most importantly the level-design also takes an absolute nose-dive, the back-tracking is insane, even for this type of game, and the puzzles reach moon-logic like Point and Click Adventures of old. And the story is worse than in the first game.

Good graphics and performance are about the only positives that come to mind at this point.
What a disappointment. I just want a good classic Survival Horror game, is that too much to ask?
Rhetorical question, of course it is in current year.

Still recommend the original though.
Suffers from some of the same problems, but to a way lesser extent, and in that one the positives far outweigh the negatives.

 

[Vampire_Hunter_Bob]

Oh and I promised a friend I'd do "Hell is Us" too.

I'm currently playing that game. I like it but the game could make some small changes to greatly improve my experience like having a mini-map or fast traveling between locations. My biggest gripe, specifically one that isn't "this game crashes" which it does a lot, is the amount of backtracking. Backtracking Simulator more like it.

 

[Espada]

Minecraft came out in 2011.

NO I MEANT, i'm playing it for now.. but i play alot of games currently, Dark souls 2, COD MW2 (old one with my friends), Max payne 2, The evil within 2, Assassin's creed 4 black flag..


edit : Max payne 2 was suggested by my big brother and he told me to complete the triology because it's a good story, i'm also gonna play Mad Max after it.

 

[Aazealh]

NO I MEANT, i'm playing it for now.. but i play alot of games currently

That's clearly not what you meant, but it's Ok.

Max payne 2 was suggested by my big brother and he told me to complete the triology because it's a good story, i'm also gonna play Mad Max after it.

The third game, while fine, is very different to the two previous ones and there's little continuity between them. You'd be better off playing Alan Wake next. Also, just to be clear, Mad Max has no relation to Max Payne. They're completely different stories.

 

[aesma]

I'm playing Salt and Sanctuary and I really liked it. Dark atmosphere, great map design, brutal blood effects etc. its just my type of game. Playing with a 2H sword build ofc

 

[Espada]

That's clearly not what you meant, but it's Ok.



The third game, while fine, is very different to the two previous ones and there's little continuity between them. You'd be better off playing Alan Wake next. Also, just to be clear, Mad Max has no relation to Max Payne. They're completely different stories.

But Mad Max seems fun to me i guess, i know it's completely different stories, alright i'll play Alan Wake.

 

[Aazealh]

But Mad Max seems fun to me i guess, i know it's completely different stories

Sure, was just clarifying in case you were mistaken.

alright i'll play Alan Wake.

It's very different from Max Payne, but if you're looking for thematic continuity, that's the way to go.

 

[Lawliet]

I finished Ghost of Yotei. Like with Tsushima before it, I really enjoyed this game. It's gorgeous, pure eye-candy, like you're playing in a painting. The combat is hella fun and killing people has rarely felt this good! The arsenal of weapons at your disposal is pleasingly varied and each weapon feels good to use. Movement, platforming, horse-riding, etc...it's a joy to play.

Where it falls short, however, is the narrative. It's a significant downgrade from Tsushima. Tsushima told a compelling story of how our traditions and values can often shackle us when we blindly hold fast to them, and so the protagonist has to wrestle with abandoning his society's code in order to deal with an overwhelming enemy that came to kill or enslave them. Yotei is just a generic revenge tale, with the same usual beats of how revenge is costly and how the protagonist must find another reason to live than just killing the people who wronged her. Stuff we've seen a million times before, and it isn't even handled all that masterfully anyway - the writing starts to unravel in Chapter 2 and falls apart somewhat in Chapter 3.

The bosses (duels) were also, like in Tsushima, pure trash. Another case of annoying artificial difficulty - you're de-buffed while the boss melts you with each hit. Make any mistake, and it's over. The movement in those duels is clunky on top. I should note that I played in hard mode though. The design is still shit regardless.

Despite the shortcomings, it's still a great game. Don't miss out on it!

 

[Lawliet]

I finished Hell Is Us. It's not gonna win any game of the year awards, but I really enjoyed it. It was refreshing not having any sort of help from the game whatsoever, though figuring things out wasn't too difficult. Kind of immersion breaking, when you think about it (e.g. you read notes from a long-gone research team that was stumped while spending years trying to figure out the dungeon you're in, and in you walk and figure it all out in 10 minutes), but that didn't bother me too much. The environment design and the environmental storytelling are brilliant. The main narrative is so-so, and the game ends with many loose ends untied.

Combat was alright and not particularly challenging. Enemy variety could have used a lot more work. There are no boss fights, which I think was wise: the main challenge of the game is to figure out what the hell is going on and what to do; having difficult bosses to worry about as well wouldn't have worked for the game. The main attraction is the exploration, so play it for that.

If I had a main gripe, it would be the lighting. The number of times I had to run around an area or a dungeon over and over just because I couldn't see that one ladder in a shadowy corner...Maybe it's just my TV and brightness settings though.

Anyway, I'll be glad to play a sequel or a DLC!

 

[Vampire_Hunter_Bob]

Kind of immersion breaking, when you think about it

You're not kidding. Honestly, in the real world, most of these puzzles would have been figured out by unsupervised kids. I laugh when I come across a piece of lore that's essentially like "we have spent 20 years trying to decipher this random dial." The cemetery puzzle is the peak example of this.

There are no boss fights,

No, there are boss fights. The Terror boss you fight at the top of the spire? It is named and has a health bar, I was honestly surprised they put it in the game. That boss fight by far was the worst I have ever played in a video game. I say this as someone who likes this game.

 

[Lawliet]

You're not kidding. Honestly, in the real world, most of these puzzles would have been figured out by unsupervised kids. I laugh when I come across a piece of lore that's essentially like "we have spent 20 years trying to decipher this random dial." The cemetery puzzle is the peak example of this.

Spot on and a great example

No, there are boss fights. The Terror boss you fight at the top of the spire? It is named and has a health bar, I was honestly surprised they put it in the game. That boss fight by far was the worst I have ever played in a video game. I say this as someone who likes this game.

True, but I couldn't be bothered to count those since they're more of the same enemy you encounter all the time, but with a larger health bar and annoying gimmicks. And agreed, that boss sucked.

 

[Vampire_Hunter_Bob]

And agreed, that boss sucked.

I spent 30 minutes just looking for the boss. In its chamber. I don't know how this could have been done any easier. Also, the build-up to the boss was amazing.

Have you experienced a lot of crashing in this game? I have.

 

[Lawliet]

I spent 30 minutes just looking for the boss. In its chamber. I don't know how this could have been done any easier. Also, the build-up to the boss was amazing.

Really? I found him right away. You just have to follow the screaming. Did you play with headphones on? I think you're meant to do it in 3D audio, so you can pinpoint where all the screams are coming from.

The annoying bit for me was how he kept running away and putting traps as you chase him.

And yes, the Spire was really cool. The dungeons and environmental design is where the game really shines.

Have you experienced a lot of crashing in this game? I have.

It didn't crash once for me. Guess I lucked out.

 

[Vampire_Hunter_Bob]

Really? I found him right away. You just have to follow the screaming. Did you play with headphones on? I think you're meant to do it in 3D audio, so you can pinpoint where all the screams are coming from.

I didn't play with headphones. I was chasing after the screaming sound effect for most of the fight. The bigger issue was when the train showed up.

And yes, the Spire was really cool. The dungeons and environmental design is where the game really shines.

Yep! The entire spire section is just possibly the most evil/fictional place you go to in a video game. It's literally a murder factory! I also really love the Museum and the Library and Office of Primacy.

It didn't crash once for me. Guess I lucked out.

It's so weird. I have to completely close out from my game in order to prevent this from happening (playing on XBox). Normally quick resume hasn't had an effect at all on playability. For example, my kid is playing Goat Simulator 3, and has roughly several hundred hotdogs on screen to the point that the game is lagging, and hasn't experienced this issue once. It's something just unique for this game.