What are you currently playing?
- Thread starter Nick Calandra
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Switch the controls to classic style. R2 works way better as the shoot button, and Kratos' light and heavy attacks are on SQR and TRI button respectively. It makes the gameplay so much more comfortable and better.
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*unintuitive
God, the old camera was so much better. So cinematic. Reboot needed a new protagonist and combat system, not a new camera.
Those aren't my hands. I'm not that white or hairy.
Seems like a recipe for disaster. When they first revealed the game, I knew right away that the attack buttons had been moved to the shoulders, because there's no way the player can efficiently turn the cramped shoulder camera and mash on the face buttons at the same time. Unless they used the claw grip through almost all combat.
God, the old camera was so much better. So cinematic. Reboot needed a new protagonist and combat system, not a new camera.
Those aren't my hands. I'm not that white or hairy.
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You talking about the default or the classic layout? If it's the latter, I honestly had little trouble adjusting and is my preferred method. At least you don't have to worry about Dark Souls formatted controls.
Exactly why I picked classic controls. More ease of control and maneuverability.
I can agree there. I don't find the over the shoulder camera bad, but it does have its flaws in GoW4. The camera in God Hand, Mad World, Killer Is Dead, and Anarchy Reigns are better than God of War 4.
I was 2/3 of those things (protag and combat) before playing and seeing the first trailer. Camera I could take or leave either way. After playing the game, l love the direction they took Kratos, and instantly took a liking to Atreus. I know Ragnarok will have the same camera system as last time. I only hope SM moves the camera out a more, and gives Kratos the ability to actually jump.
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Baldur just seems like white trash, a redneck, and the way they talk too often feels real world rather than mythical. I have no idea what's going on. Partly because I took a three year break on the same save file and partly because I pay better attention to cutscenes than things sort of said in passing during gameplay. The old games used them pretty sparingly, to their benefit. I remember them being simpler stories and it being more about the levels and atmosphere.
Ain't partly; that's all you. You took the 3 year break. I had little trouble understanding what is going on for most of the games, and I have not replayed the game in a while. We've all taken breaks from games longer than we have planned. Many times never coming back for reasons, Nothing wrong with that, and I've done it several times myself. But my man, you might as well play catch up before you go any further.
Simpler? Yes. I did not find myself caring much aside from the first game. The levels and atmosphere varied from game to game, but I always found myself tuning out in the mid or 2/3 point in nearly each game. I either lose focus, don't care, or just want to get to the end at that point. II, and III especially, hit hard the most in this regard. III just dragged too much for me. The atmosphere in DMC1, DMC3, and even DMC4, kept me more engaged with their level designs and ambient music (when not in battle). Doom 64 gave me way more interests in its environments, atmosphere, and music than most of the old God of War games. Not to say those games don't have their moments, but they didn't do much for me overall.
Just because you cleared some games in the past, doesn't mean you don't suck at this one right now.
Good on you for finishing the game though
I got back into Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous for a couple of hours. I feel there's a fair bit of a learning curve here, or at least it's gonna take some time to settle into. My closest point of comparison being Divinity: Original Sin 2 is doing no favors here.
- The absence of a minimap, for example. If the rest of the game is as sprawling as the first dungeon (which isn't even that complex), this is going to be probably the biggest hurdle. It actually actively hurts the gameplay, since enemies can easily get lost in the graphics. At one point I thought I'd killed all enemies but was still in combat mode, and noticed that I'd completely missed one enemy that had been blocked by an open door due to my camera angle. It's very easy to miss openable doors in plain sight.
- The combat. Again, this is based off the first dungeon, but games are supposed to start out with their best foot forward. It is accurately reflective of low-level TTRPG combat in the sense that there's very few resources and you miss attacks what feels like over half the time. But there's a reason most DnD campaigns don't start at level 1 and if they do they move to level 2 very quickly. So far it's just not fun. The amount of misses both from enemies and the party has been downright comical at times. My main character started as a Ranger, and literally the only thing I can currently do is attack, and like mentioned before, mostly miss. The rest of the party are also very repetitive to do combat with. I also wish there was some way to accurately measure ranges to targets, since 2 party members get ranged attack bonuses if they're within 30 ft of an enemy. But there's no way to accurately get that information, unless I missed something.
- The UI. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I don't feel the information is prioritized very well. One party member can cast an enhancement on their weapon, which is displayed in a tiny, tiny icon next to their profile picture. The center part of the taskbar pushes further into the screen than the sides, making it look like it's taking up too much space. Enemy HP is displayed in a teeny weeny bar above them, making it hard to assess how much health they exactly have left. Something that I was critical of in Dragon Age: Origins returns here, and that is the overly long ability descriptions. Just tell me how much hit bonuses it gives me, dammit!
About to start one of the longest dungeons in Earthbound, Stonehenge Base. After that by my count there's only six more areas to get through before the final boss. And about 25 more levels to gain in that time according to my last save file, which started the final dungeon with Ness at level 75, and on the current file he's at about 50.
HAHAHAHAH...no. Sucked in your opinion. The game is definitely not perfect, but it has atmosphere. Even if the game has a brighter color pallette. You know what lacked atmosphere? DMC2. It tried to have some in interesting places, but failed overall, and is so boring.
How can DMC3 be a one hit wonder, when it's still gets fame and recognition today? People still play it today. Not to mention, DMC5 outsold both DMC3 and DMC4 (this was the best selling game before 5), so the game and the series are not one hit wonders. DMC5 is now the best selling game in the franchise? Someone must love being know-nothing-know-it-all. Not to mention 5 brought a newbie boom of fans who are interested in past games. Congrats Capcom, long time fans, and the power of memes! Fall from what grace now? Oh right, based off of nothing, but very subjective opinion.
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I completed BioShock 2 yesterday. Haven't played this one in about 10 years, too.
I find it kind of weird how this game is usually skipped over when people discuss the BioShock franchise.
Like Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Batman Arkham City, which I discussed earlier, this is another one of those games that reuses a lot of the same assets from the original game, but then builds on it in subtle, but significant ways, which results in a drastically superior game to play, whilst generally not looking all that different.
The biggest change is probably the ability to simultaniously weild a weapon and a plasmid at the same time. It was functional in the first game, but not needing to swap between the two every few seconds, makes this a much more seamless experience.
I would also like to give a shoutout to this game's melee weapon - the Drill. In BioShock 1, your melee weapon of choice was the Wrench. Whilst effective, it didn't really have all that much to it, other than just whacking a dude in the face with it. With the Drill, you still get that basic whack attack (as do all of the other weapons, but the Drill is more powerful, and benefits from Tonics), but you also have a, uh, drill attack, which uses its own Fuel ammunition, which deals a lot of consistent damage. The most fun addition, though, is the Drill Charge attack, which works kind of similarly to Halo's energy sword lunge, but with a surprising amount of range. With this, you just end up launching yourself across rooms, pinballing from enemy to enemy, smashing their faces in, and sending them flying - often into other enemies, which usually takes them out, too. Endlessly satisfying.
The additional enemy types are also welcome, too.
The combat isn't perfect, though, and this is one of the oddities of the PC port. In BioShock, you juggle about 8 different weapons, with 3 different ammo types each, and about 6 different plasmids, all of which are controlled with the number keys, and the function keys. This is a lot of wrangle, especially in the heat of combat. In BioShock 1, you could effectively pause the game, whilst you select a weapon. This feature returns in BioShock 2, but only when using a controller. I am unsure if this was intentionally absent, or is just a technical issue, but the functionality is gone. Unfortunately, in practice, this meant that I was effectively ignoring most of the sandbox, and mostly just stuck to the same couple of weapons and plasmids.
Otherwise, the main criticism of the game is generally the story. BioShock 1 had a host of charismatic characters, and that scene in Andrew Ryan's office, whereas BioShock 2 doesn't really have any of that. The story isn't bad, but it just isn't as memorable as the first game's.
Honestly, I think this game deserves better, and is honestly a much more fun time that the first game - story aside.
I did also play the Minerva's Den DLC, which I am convinced is just the perfect little slice of BioShock - it is concise, it has a cool story moment, and it has the better combat of BioShock 2, with a couple of new additions of its own - but to be honest, by the time I got around to it, I had already mentally checked out of the game, so I just kind of blew through it.
I'll probably play BioShock Infinite next.
I find it kind of weird how this game is usually skipped over when people discuss the BioShock franchise.
Like Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Batman Arkham City, which I discussed earlier, this is another one of those games that reuses a lot of the same assets from the original game, but then builds on it in subtle, but significant ways, which results in a drastically superior game to play, whilst generally not looking all that different.
The biggest change is probably the ability to simultaniously weild a weapon and a plasmid at the same time. It was functional in the first game, but not needing to swap between the two every few seconds, makes this a much more seamless experience.
I would also like to give a shoutout to this game's melee weapon - the Drill. In BioShock 1, your melee weapon of choice was the Wrench. Whilst effective, it didn't really have all that much to it, other than just whacking a dude in the face with it. With the Drill, you still get that basic whack attack (as do all of the other weapons, but the Drill is more powerful, and benefits from Tonics), but you also have a, uh, drill attack, which uses its own Fuel ammunition, which deals a lot of consistent damage. The most fun addition, though, is the Drill Charge attack, which works kind of similarly to Halo's energy sword lunge, but with a surprising amount of range. With this, you just end up launching yourself across rooms, pinballing from enemy to enemy, smashing their faces in, and sending them flying - often into other enemies, which usually takes them out, too. Endlessly satisfying.
The additional enemy types are also welcome, too.
The combat isn't perfect, though, and this is one of the oddities of the PC port. In BioShock, you juggle about 8 different weapons, with 3 different ammo types each, and about 6 different plasmids, all of which are controlled with the number keys, and the function keys. This is a lot of wrangle, especially in the heat of combat. In BioShock 1, you could effectively pause the game, whilst you select a weapon. This feature returns in BioShock 2, but only when using a controller. I am unsure if this was intentionally absent, or is just a technical issue, but the functionality is gone. Unfortunately, in practice, this meant that I was effectively ignoring most of the sandbox, and mostly just stuck to the same couple of weapons and plasmids.
Otherwise, the main criticism of the game is generally the story. BioShock 1 had a host of charismatic characters, and that scene in Andrew Ryan's office, whereas BioShock 2 doesn't really have any of that. The story isn't bad, but it just isn't as memorable as the first game's.
Honestly, I think this game deserves better, and is honestly a much more fun time that the first game - story aside.
I did also play the Minerva's Den DLC, which I am convinced is just the perfect little slice of BioShock - it is concise, it has a cool story moment, and it has the better combat of BioShock 2, with a couple of new additions of its own - but to be honest, by the time I got around to it, I had already mentally checked out of the game, so I just kind of blew through it.
I'll probably play BioShock Infinite next.
Thanks to some online positive criticism from certain individual youtubers, that is now happening. The only reason why the sequel got so much hey, is because of the force multiplayer, and people feeling it didn't do anything different enough. Yahtzee's vocal mouth was not helping. Especially in this BioShock Infinite review, for him in certain others consider it the "true sequel". Infinite has gotten backlash over the years and resentment. A lot of it has been building up since it's release. It doesn't help that Infinite streamlined too hard, and does not have as many weapon options, features, nor as complicated level design as the previous games.
One hit wonder for being the only really good game in the series. DMC5 was weak too. Of course it's my opinion. The story ended up feeling pretty pointless, and I don't understand Capcom's obsession with splitting a campaign between multiple characters. You don't get to play enough of the story with any character. They force someone else on you just when you're really beginning to enjoy the one. Also, the way they combined all Dante's styles in DMC4 and then kept that in DMC5 was awkward. Some of those moves shouldn't have been style-specific.
My ideal Devil May Cry 6 would see every playable character replaced by one new person.
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Tell that to me and a majority of other Capcom and don't make cry fans. They're both great games. End of story. If you don't like it, or not to your taste, fair enough. If one game is such a one-hand wonder, then why are people still playing most of these games? Why are people still talking about them today? Why are people still doing combo and skill vids 3,4,&5? Hell, there are people still doing combo videos of DmC2013.
I'll agree to this to an extent. I don't mind the characters, but I really wish they included a mode where you can at least play all the missions as any of the other characters. Even if there's no cutscenes. They were able to do this for Vergil, so they could do the same for the other three characters. Ninja Gaiden got this right years ago.
Style switching mode is fine and at its best in the fifth game. I don't know why you're having trouble. It takes some getting used to, but it's way easier compared 4. Royal Guard is even made a bit easier to do now. You still can't spam it like crazy, but once you know the timing and rhythm, you're practically God in this stance.
All that said, the DMC5 is at peak gameplay here. In terms of combat and accessibility options. Some of your reasons I understand, the others I don't know what you're talking about. Seems like you have overly high expectations or expect everything to fit your view or the way you want to play. That is not how all gaming works.
I didn't say I had trouble switching styles, I said it's awkward.
I'd still rather replace everyone than play through the campaign with a single character and no cutscenes, because that wouldn't feel right and you'd still have to split it between them on the first playthrough. I wouldn't say asking for the game to feature one character is simply demanding that it fits my expectations when that's the standard for games, especially ones where you build up your character.
DMC5 also had WAY too many cutscenes. Thrown right into the middle of levels, often tediously long, and amounting to very little. You really get the sense that they felt pressured to conform to modern movie game expectations.
You USED to be cool, Itsuno.
I'd still rather replace everyone than play through the campaign with a single character and no cutscenes, because that wouldn't feel right and you'd still have to split it between them on the first playthrough. I wouldn't say asking for the game to feature one character is simply demanding that it fits my expectations when that's the standard for games, especially ones where you build up your character.
DMC5 also had WAY too many cutscenes. Thrown right into the middle of levels, often tediously long, and amounting to very little. You really get the sense that they felt pressured to conform to modern movie game expectations.
You USED to be cool, Itsuno.
Nah, that still goes to the reboot. I will say they do get annoying when you're trying to to do repeat playthroughs or go for a no damage run. You do have to constantly skip and wait in between the loading. It is annoying on older consoles. If you have the next generation of consoles or pc, it's a minute issue.
Nope, that one once again, goes to the reboot.
The man still is cool. He just doesn't have to conform to your unrealistic expectations and overly complex sensibilities. That man and his team still work hard. He can make the next Dragon's Dogma, or some new game and I will not complain. The man has more than enough earned it 1000 times over.
I have made a mistake.
I started Earthbound on Switch to kill some time until Elden Ring comes out and indulge my nostalgia for a bit. Well, it suceeded too well, because I've got the 3rd party member(Jeff the nerd) and I'm in the 3rd town now and I kinda don't want to stop playing now. The difficulty curve has smoothed out and flattened at this point, with the only big issue having to play Jeff Solo for like an hour without the ability to really restock or PSI heal(the best you have is a rest stop near the "dungeon" to heal up completely while you grind a bit). And really, this game does have these bits where you keep getting new characters who start at the bottom with jack and shit for gear, who need to be equipped and ground up to spec. While the game does accommodate that(Paula has Ness to cover and a teddy bear to tank a couple of hits for her, while Jeff faces scaling enemies), it's still a little obnoxious.
Anyway, I do really dig the whole surreal feel of the game and the quirkiness(Why does a dude suddenly drop out the sky, take your photo at certain places, then float back into the sky? Who knows? It's just that kind of game.) and It's been long enough since playing Mother 3 as not to compare them directly(since Mother 3 is much more story and character focused, while also being more linear) to appreciate EB on it's own merits, while tolerating the flaws of the game(The inventory sucks less with 3 people but still sucks).
Anyway, seeing how EB has a howlongtobeat of 20-30 hours of playtime and I've probably played for about 5-10 thus far, I might as well keep pushing to the end and then jump into ER. Especially since I'm playing ER on PC and I want to verify the netcode isn't a disaster before playing. Also, ER will still be there in a week.
And maybe someday in the future I'll bite the bullet and try to power through Mother 1, which apparently is very grindy and a bit harder then EB.
I started Earthbound on Switch to kill some time until Elden Ring comes out and indulge my nostalgia for a bit. Well, it suceeded too well, because I've got the 3rd party member(Jeff the nerd) and I'm in the 3rd town now and I kinda don't want to stop playing now. The difficulty curve has smoothed out and flattened at this point, with the only big issue having to play Jeff Solo for like an hour without the ability to really restock or PSI heal(the best you have is a rest stop near the "dungeon" to heal up completely while you grind a bit). And really, this game does have these bits where you keep getting new characters who start at the bottom with jack and shit for gear, who need to be equipped and ground up to spec. While the game does accommodate that(Paula has Ness to cover and a teddy bear to tank a couple of hits for her, while Jeff faces scaling enemies), it's still a little obnoxious.
Anyway, I do really dig the whole surreal feel of the game and the quirkiness(Why does a dude suddenly drop out the sky, take your photo at certain places, then float back into the sky? Who knows? It's just that kind of game.) and It's been long enough since playing Mother 3 as not to compare them directly(since Mother 3 is much more story and character focused, while also being more linear) to appreciate EB on it's own merits, while tolerating the flaws of the game(The inventory sucks less with 3 people but still sucks).
Anyway, seeing how EB has a howlongtobeat of 20-30 hours of playtime and I've probably played for about 5-10 thus far, I might as well keep pushing to the end and then jump into ER. Especially since I'm playing ER on PC and I want to verify the netcode isn't a disaster before playing. Also, ER will still be there in a week.
And maybe someday in the future I'll bite the bullet and try to power through Mother 1, which apparently is very grindy and a bit harder then EB.
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As long as you're having fun, I don't think it counts as a mistake. A mistake would be playing a game that you hate, but now can't stop playing for whatever reason, which is what happened to me with Genealogy of the Holy War.
You're a braver man than I; I played through the original NES Final Fantasy, but I don't think I'd ever be able to handle Mother. I watched an LP of it instead.
I am enjoying it greatly, so yeah, you're right. I just reached Saturn Valley and while the game was wierd before, it feels like the wierdness gets dialed up to "Pink Floyd Acid Trip" levels here.
Anyway, ER will still be there and I'll be playing through that into the spring.
The original FF isn't that bad, it's just very basic and has little QoL(though some of the remakes help mitigate that). It's FF2 I refuse to ever play again.
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