What are you currently playing?

[BrawlMan]

Ninja Gaiden 4 - I beat that Deamon Fox Lady boss on my first try! I am so glad I bought nearly all of those perfect block and perfect parry upgrades! You get the Rapier after beating her. So it's more than likely the same will be for the other 3 major Deamon bosses. Now I am on Chapter 4, and the Deamons fodder are coming out to play! It's so great to be fighting new demonic enemies after most of them being lackluster in Razor's Edge.

Also,I recommend saving those revives. The moment you find another one, it automatically turns into a major Ninja Coin pay out bonus.

Before the major boss fight with Kitsune, I did another Purgatory challenge and only took me two tries, and I gambled with only 45% heath reduction. Freaking sweet!

 

[Dalisclock]

Started playing Systemshock 2, the remaster. I totally forgot that SS2 has the best character creator ever, I love how it lets you choose a military branch then choose what kinda deployment you have each year (each one gives you different stats that the game tells you about). Its very very cool.

That diegetic intro is actually pretty cool and I'm sad more games don't attempt something like it.

 

[thebobmaster]

I hate how seeing a post in this topic with screenshots makes me reflexively prepare for an Ezekiel shitpost...

Anyways, taking a semi-break from Mass Effect 2 (I still have enough material for another couple of posts at this point, just can't be bothered immediately) to try out the Until Dawn remake. Only past the prologue and...not gonna lie, disappointed by most of the changes. The lighting or something is just making the facial models feel off to me, like they are somehow both better and worse than the original, and they made a few tweaks to the story, primarily to Sam and Emily's characters, that I'm not sure I'm fully on board with. They also replaced "Oh Death" as the credits song, and that's damn near unforgivable even if the new song is still thematically strong.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Playing the Resident Evil 3 remake. I've never played the original (or the RE2make for that matter) so all those complaints about cutting content and botching Nemesis and streamlining the campaign are moot for me. Got no nostalgia for any of it.

Only played for a little bit but since RE4make is the last RE I played can't help but miss the precision aiming. There's a noticeable wobbliness and delay here, and almost no reaction from zombies when shot. If anything getting shot makes them go faster. Still getting my bearings around dodging and lunge range and what exactly is the point of the QTE when you get nabbed.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

Playing the Resident Evil 3 remake. I've never played the original (or the RE2make for that matter) so all those complaints about cutting content and botching Nemesis and streamlining the campaign are moot for me. Got no nostalgia for any of it.

Only played for a little bit but since RE4make is the last RE I played can't help but miss the precision aiming. There's a noticeable wobbliness and delay here, and almost no reaction from zombies when shot. If anything getting shot makes them go faster. Still getting my bearings around dodging and lunge range and what exactly is the point of the QTE when you get nabbed.

I'll put some pro tips in spoilers in case you'd rather work it out yourself:

The QTE when you get nabbed: It was done that way because people complained about the knife in RE2make (I think those complaints are unfounded, but go figure.) Breaking out in time will cause you to take less damage. You still take some, but essentially, it's like shaking free of grabs in RE4: mash faster and you take less. You still want to avoid getting grabbed at all, though, and that leads into:

Dodging: Yeah, this wasn't great in the original game either IMO. While a 'regular' dodge can help you create distance from enemies, which is something you couldn't do as easily in the original, you want to focus on trying to time your dodges perfectly, just before you get hit or grabbed. That's definitely not as easy as it sounds, though, and I wouldn't blame anyone for barely using the mechanic. On Standard and Assisted difficulty, you can definitely get away with it.

Aiming: Unlike in RE4make, you basically can't move while aiming at all and still expect to hit anything. Once the dot appears in the middle of the reticle, that's when the best time is to fire, unless you're shooting at something huge like Nemesis. Against normal zombies, the best place to target is actually their legs; if they can only crawl after you, it's much easier to stay out of their reach. Headshots can stun zombies temporarily, but it'll still leave them able to bother you on the return trip, so if you expect to backtrack through an area, it's better to disable or at least dismember any zombies in your way.

 

[BrawlMan]

Playing the Resident Evil 3 remake. I've never played the original (or the RE2make for that matter) so all those complaints about cutting content and botching Nemesis and streamlining the campaign are moot for me. Got no nostalgia for any of it.

Funny enough, RE3R is still the same length as the original RE3, even with the cut content. I prefer the remake over the original. I do like the original, but the dodge mechanic in it is too finicky and damn near random to work right and consistently. Have fun!

Loving the Drill in Ninja Gaiden 4!

 

[FakeSympathy]

So I have set a budget for how much I spend on gaming/entertainment, and unfortunately BF6 was just enough reach the cap.

You can check out my thoughts over on BF6 thread, but TL;DR is the campaign is near-dogshit, and multiplayer is pretty good but has annoying challenge grinds, progressions, and some alright map designs.

I now really wish I chose Ninja Gaiden 4 instead.

 

[BrawlMan]

I now really wish I chose Ninja Gaiden 4 instead.

You bought BF6 on digital or pc?

No worries. We appreciate your efforts. I still thank you. You can always get the game within another month or so. Either attack or trade in something physical that you're not playing anymore, and at least get a discount off of it at gamestop or something. Or any other secondhand retailer.

I did have to make a few sacrifices in games to get the game I wanted. One of them being Lost Soul Aside, but at least I am able to enjoy that game. I've beaten it way beforehand and can always come back to it later at a cheaper price. I'm picking up Double Dragon Revive later today.

 

[FakeSympathy]

You bought BF6 on digital or pc?

No worries. We appreciate your efforts. I still thank you. You can always get the game within another month or so. Either attack or trade in something physical that you're not playing anymore, and at least get a discount off of it at gamestop or something. Or any other secondhand retailer.

I did have to make a few sacrifices in games to get the game I wanted. One of them being Lost Soul Aside, but at least I am able to enjoy that game. I've beaten it way beforehand and can always come back to it later at a cheaper price. I'm picking up Double Dragon Revive later today.

Digital copy of BF6. Unfortunately. I guess I will have to wait for sale

 

[BrawlMan]

Digital copy of BF6. Unfortunately. I guess I will have to wait for sale

Whenever you get there eventually, you will not be bored!

 

[BrawlMan]

@Worgen, @NerfedFalcon, @ExtraWildGames, and @Old_Hunter_77,

Double Dragon Revive - I got my copy on PS5 and loving it! So far I am on Stage 3. I love full on arcade nature of this game. I am playing as Jimmy for my first run. This game is literally Demolished Fist, but so much better. The environmental activity integrated into the combat is insane. You can wall jump, swing on certain ledges or signs, knock enemies into hazards that will insta-kill them, wall bounce and juggle them, juggle them with weapons, and there is even a counter system by pressing the special button (O).

The people behind this game are DD fans and they truly care! Don't let the change up fool you, this is a Double Dragon game, through and through! The soundtrack is great, and I can't wait to blast this in my car! FTR, I got the physical deluxe edition.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

Picked up the new Jackbox Party Pack, number 11, which came out today. I've been a fan of these since I discovered they were a thing not that long ago, but honestly I think this is the best one they've made so far. None of the games here aren't going to be part of my group's regular rotation now, with the exception of the one that's good but a bit straining on the voice. My favorite out of them is Cookie Haus, a drawing game that looks and feels totally different from all the others with the cookie frosting, while also having a lot of scope for hilarity despite a simple-seeming concept.

If you've got a group of friends (IRL or Discord) that you meet up with, you might wanna check this one out.

 

[Worgen]

@Worgen, @NerfedFalcon, @ExtraWildGames, and @Old_Hunter_77,

Double Dragon Revive - I got my copy on PS5 and loving it! So far I am on Stage 3. I love full on arcade nature of this game. I am playing as Jimmy for my first run. This game is literally Demolished Fist, but so much better. The environmental activity integrated into the combat is insane. You can wall jump, swing on certain ledges or signs, knock enemies into hazards that will insta-kill them, wall bounce and juggle them, juggle them with weapons, and there is even a counter system by pressing the special button (O).

The people behind this game are DD fans and they truly care! Don't let the change up fool you, this is a Double Dragon game, through and through! The soundtrack is great, and I can't wait to blast this in my car! FTR, I got the physical deluxe edition.

Cool, I'll keep an eye out for a sale.

 

[BrawlMan]

Double Dragon Revive has been beaten. Good game, but the level design falls apart when you're forced to platforming in the latter half. It doesn't come up much, but the Casino level is the worst offender with the platforming challenge in the latter half of the stage. Thankfully, the last two stages don't do that. The next to last final boss can eat a dick! The final boss while tough, didn't take me nearly as long. Raymond is awesome and they basically turned him into RE5 Wesker and the Advanced Model from Drive (1997).

The parry system is pretty good, but there are hidden ones the game doesn't tell you, and expects to figure it out on your own. The game does still leave you a clue depending on tell, but usually boils down to, do I use the special button in neutral position, or wall jump then press the special for dive bomb parry, Sometimes the action commands for super moves don't register depending on where you're standing. It's rare, but it does happen with some of the bosses.

The game has 8 stages total, and after that you can select any level on any difficulty. The game does have a grade ranking system. The lowest I got was a C on the last two missions. My feelings on this I am still a bit early on, but I do find the combat better than Neon. Level Design, Neon does it better when it comes to platforming, because it was kept simple and usually on a single lane plane when doing it. Revive takes an approach that doesn't mesh to well and makes me wonder why they even bothered. Honestly, platforming doesn't belong in a DD game.

Enemy variety and weapons are strong. You got bats, knives, whips, paint cans, tonfas, parts of the environment, oil drums, etc. Seriously, Revive dethrones Advance when it comes to weapon variety. Music is pretty great with remixed soundtracks and some originals I think too. At least in the Casino stage. Marian is really fun to play, and her move set is completely different from the twins. She plays a bit like Tifa mixed with Ken, but more kicked focused like the latter. She even dresses somewhat similar to Tifa. Speaking of which, I love the character designs. It's basically, if modern SNK made a Double Dragon game. There's a lot more Fist of the North Star influence, and it brings out the anime nerd in me! Billy and Jimmy have cool dynamic that oddly enough, reminds me of the 1994 movie. Revive works it better here and much more subdued by comparison. Though Jimmy's more laid back attitude makes him my favorite of the trio. Ranzo I have not tried out yet though.

In terms of Double Dragon rankings, it's in my top 5, but I still think Gaiden is better. Revive will probably take the #4 or #5 spot.

 

[Worgen]

Double Dragon Revive has been beaten. Good game, but the level design falls apart when you're forced to platforming in the latter half. It doesn't come up much, but the Casino level is the worst offender with the platforming challenge in the latter half of the stage. Thankfully, the last two stages don't do that. The next to last final boss can eat a dick! The final boss while tough, didn't take me nearly as long.

Ugh, platforming in a brawler, its never good.

 

[BrawlMan]

Ugh, platforming in a brawler, its never good.

I wouldn't say never, but a majority of the time, it's barely rudimentary at best, and non-essential/unneeded at worst. Especially when the game is not exactly built for it. The only brawlers I know with good or great platforming are:

• Viewtiful Joe 1-2
• Wario World
• DmC (2013)
• Bayonetta 1 & 2
• Greek Era GoW
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Blood Rayne: Betrayal

 

[Worgen]

I wouldn't say never, but a majority of the time, it's barely rudimentary at best, and non-essential/unneeded at worst. Especially when the game is not exactly built for it. The only brawlers I know with good or great platforming are:

• Viewtiful Joe 1-2
• Wario World
• DmC (2013)
• Bayonetta 1 & 2
• Greek Era GoW
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Blood Rayne: Betrayal

I wouldn't really call those brawlers. Viewtiful Joe is more a side scroller and something like Bayonetta/DmC are more spectacle fighters.

 

[BrawlMan]

Viewtiful Joe is more a side scroller a

A side scrolling brawler. VJ counts and has almost as much platforming as brawling. Hideki Kamiya called this game a beat'em up, so it does count.

something like Bayonetta/DmC are more spectacle fighters.

Made up silly semantics by Yahtzee (which even he regretted coining and grew tired of) and nothing more. Yes, they're single player and in 3D, but both still count too. Once again, Kamiya has admitted DMC1 and Bayonetta were inspired by the arcade games (mainly brawlers and Castlevania in DMC1's case). DmC, while having a completely different tone, is still an arcade style brawler, just not into the old-school 2D/2.5D sense. Though what was once new school, became the standard in a genre/sub-genre long before DmC reboot.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

Sword of the Sea

A much needed post-Persona palette cleanser. This is the new one from some of the Journey/Abzu/Pathfinder folks and it's... that. Surfing around on a sword making pretty world prettier with nice music and no talking or menus and stunning visuals. Took me 3 hours to beat it, focusing on mainlining the thing and only exploring a bit here and there.

I was gonna wait until this came out on Switch but I was really in the mood for this and I'm glad I didn't wait because my PC is connected to a big TV and I'm glad I enjoyed the visuals on the larger screen. This game is really more of an interactive painting- there are absolutely no challenges or serious fail state, it really is all go-here-then-go-there kind of thing.

If a chill pretty short bit of art is at all interest then I highly recommend because I think it's just neat sometimes to whoosh around with and flying whales.

 

[Worgen]

A side scrolling brawler. VJ counts and has almost as much platforming as brawling. Hideki Kamiya called this game a beat'em up, so it does count.


Made up silly semantics by Yahtzee (which even he regretted coining and grew tired of) and nothing more. Yes, they're single player and in 3D, but both still count too. Once again, Kamiya has admitted DMC1 and Bayonetta were inspired by the arcade games (mainly brawlers and Castlevania in DMC1's case). DmC, while having a completely different tone, is still an arcade style brawler, just not into the old-school 2D/2.5D sense. Though what was once new school, became the standard in a genre/sub-genre long before DmC reboot.

I know, but I like the distinction, when I think a brawler, I think Streets of Rage, Final Fight, etc. Fighting with a fixed camera with up and down movement on a screen. I don't really consider Viewtiful Joe a brawler because its just on a single plane, same way I wouldn't consider Rush N Beat a brawler. I really like the terminology of spectacle fighter since it really does tell you what you are getting, big flashy moves/combos/style. I like it much more then God of War clone, besides it should really be Devil May Cry clone since that came out first and was also pretty popular. At least its not Devilmaywar or godofcry. Still don't have good terminology for a metroidvania aside from metroidvania.