Your video game hot take(s) thread

[BrawlMan]

Been looking at handheld emulation consoles.

Get the RG35XXH. It plays up to Dreamcast and PSP. You can even take a mini hdmi to hdmi converter and hook it up to a flat screen. The emulation for Sega Saturn games is still shit though. And not all psp games will work equally. Mainly the graphics heavy games. All the Dreamcast games work great though. You can even put rom hacks onto the device and they'll work perfectly

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

The main problem with W3's combat is that the system is designed for humanoid enemies and the main highlight of playing as a witcher combat-wise is fighting monsters and combat against monsters is really weak because it's not designed for that. I remember the E3 when they showed off the griffon fight and that was a really bad fight in comparison to the griffon fight in Dragon's Dogma; I didn't understand how other people thought that was good. And then playing it, the fight was even worse than expected, I think the griffon just has like 3 moves or something, it's a really bad fight. Also, both Axii and Quen abilities completely break combat and make it joke easy. For example, you can just Axii the griffon over and over again.

You cannot Axii over and over again, there is a stamina bar. This is like saying you can cast endless spells in Elden Ring or something.

> PRJKT RED will be fine. They know they can't afford to mess up like last time. UE5 it does have its problems, but it seems like most developers, mainly those on the japanese side of game development, already know what to do and what not to do.

Yeah I'm sure the game will good and they'll be fine, I'm just highlighting this one very particular thing because it's in games that are also otherwise good and popular. It's one of a number of design or production choices that I don't like or I think is actually bad that others don't seem to mind.

 

[Phoenixmgs]

You cannot Axii over and over again, there is a stamina bar. This is like saying you can cast endless spells in Elden Ring or something.

> PRJKT RED will be fine. They know they can't afford to mess up like last time. UE5 it does have its problems, but it seems like most developers, mainly those on the japanese side of game development, already know what to do and what not to do.

Yeah I'm sure the game will good and they'll be fine, I'm just highlighting this one very particular thing because it's in games that are also otherwise good and popular. It's one of a number of design or production choices that I don't like or I think is actually bad that others don't seem to mind.

I didn't mean you can literally mash Axii over and over again. The stamina doesn't take very long to refill. Quen is also very broken, having a shield you can keep reapplying (after you get hit) that will completely block all damage from said hit is really broken. It's why you don't find that type of shield ability in like any other game.

 

[BrawlMan]

I have 0 interests in Death Stranding 2, and nothing is grabbing me exactly like the first game.

 

[BrawlMan]

I love the main playable cast of COD Vanguard. I like them a bit more than the COD WW2 cast, and I will take both over the entire cast of Modern Warfare Trilogy (original and reboot), all of Black Ops, and whatever the hell Cold War is supposed to be.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

all of Black Ops, and whatever the hell Cold War is supposed to be.

Cold War is part of 'all of Black Ops'. Mason, Woods and Hudson are all there, so.

As for that, I have not played WW2 or Vanguard, so I'm not in a position to really disagree. I do think that characters have never really been CoD's strength in storytelling over the general atmosphere, though, and that's kinda what lets down Cold War and Black Ops 6 (which I have played), as they focus too much on trying to make a character-driven story when that's not what they're good at. Again, Vanguard could well be different, I wouldn't know.

 

[thebobmaster]

OK, now that I am pretty much solidly in the endgame, less than one month in-game left, I'm just going to say it. Persona 3's story is not nearly as "deep" as it claims to be, or as complex as the fans seem to treat it. "It's so dark, it's a shame that the later games are afraid to be that serious." No, it isn't. I can sum up the story as basically "Face the truth and don't run away no matter what it may cost you, and all the villains espouse how pointless resisting them is because everything dies eventually, so why worry about death, and does life really have meaning?"

 

[Drathnoxis]

OK, now that I am pretty much solidly in the endgame, less than one month in-game left, I'm just going to say it. Persona 3's story is not nearly as "deep" as it claims to be, or as complex as the fans seem to treat it. "It's so dark, it's a shame that the later games are afraid to be that serious." No, it isn't. I can sum up the story as basically "Face the truth and don't run away no matter what it may cost you, and all the villains espouse how pointless resisting them is because everything dies eventually, so why worry about death, and does life really have meaning?"

Yes, but do other games have you unleash your magic by shooting yourself in the head?

 

[thebobmaster]

Yes, but do other games have you unleash your magic by shooting yourself in the head?

No. Is there a particular reason that Persona 3 does it beyond SYMBOLISM of some sort? Also no.

 

[Drathnoxis]

No. Is there a particular reason that Persona 3 does it beyond SYMBOLISM of some sort? Also no.

It's so dark you need to put on sunglasses.

 

[BrawlMan]

Cold War is part of 'all of Black Ops'. Mason, Woods and Hudson are all there, so.

Ok then; thanks.

I do think that characters have never really been CoD's strength in storytelling over the general atmosphere, though, and that's kinda what lets down Cold War and Black Ops 6 (which I have played), as they focus too much on trying to make a character-driven story when that's not what they're good at. Again, Vanguard could well be different, I wouldn't know

Good news: WW2 and Vanguard have much better characters and stories than those. You can add Infinite Warfare to good character driven story as well.

I will say this: Infinite Warfare has the best story of the three, followed by WW2, and then Vanguard last. WW2 tone is much more serious and grounded, but doesn't go super overboard with the darkness. WW2 is basically Band of Brothers, but does it's own thing.

Vanguard's tone is much more pulpy, and is somewhat like a cross between Inglorious Bastards and Wolfenstein: The New Order Trilogy (nothing supernatural nor sci-fi happens). Even then, the emotional moments hit when you play each of the 4 main character's backstory and past battles they fought in. With Polina's being the most standout and emotionally gripping. Though like I said, I like Vanguard cast slightly more than the WW2 cast.

Fancy trivia: Vanguard was supposed to be WW II AU like The New Order Trilogy, but Activision was against it, and told Sledge Hammer no. Fuck Activision for that. Activison also did this, so Vanguard could tie into the COD universe with games such as World at War, and the Black Ops franchise.

 

[hanselthecaretaker2]

I love the main playable cast of COD Vanguard. I like them a bit more than the COD WW2, and I will take both over the entire cast of Modern Warfare Trilogy (original and reboot), all of Black Ops, and whatever the hell Cold War is supposed to be.

Dammit BrawlMan you’re making me want to play CoD again. I think BO2 was my last.

 

[BrawlMan]

Dammit BrawlMan you’re making me want to play CoD again. I think BO2 was my last.

Dude, before these games, I had not touched a COD game since MW2 (2009) and some of Black Ops 1 with some friends in college. I am shocked I am actually enjoying a few of these. Curiosity bit me in the ass, and all of these games are cheap.

 

[Phoenixmgs]

OK, now that I am pretty much solidly in the endgame, less than one month in-game left, I'm just going to say it. Persona 3's story is not nearly as "deep" as it claims to be, or as complex as the fans seem to treat it. "It's so dark, it's a shame that the later games are afraid to be that serious." No, it isn't. I can sum up the story as basically "Face the truth and don't run away no matter what it may cost you, and all the villains espouse how pointless resisting them is because everything dies eventually, so why worry about death, and does life really have meaning?"

That's common for most anime/jrpg stuff, so many get ridiculously overrated. I remember when I was first checking out anime in high school and just picking some off the "best of all-time" lists and you'd have stuff like Elfen Lied on there and that's one of the worst things I've ever seen in my life. Go to AnimeNewsNetwork and well over half the user votes for that show are "masterpiece" or "excellent" and overall gets an average score higher than 8. Even the IMDB rating is 7.9 as well.

 

[Hades]

I have some philosophical disagreements with Nintendo's new approach to boss battles. Or at least the Mario team's approach of boss battles. I get what they are trying to do in that they want a game anyone can enjoy. There is value in that but its possible to take this sentiment to an unhealthy extreme.

In Mario Odyssey and now in Bananza bosses are so pitifully easy that they practically play themselves. Odyssey at times even changed the ''hit the boss three time to win'' rule by having some bosses require only two hits to kill. Its a boss battle anyone can clear because the bosses are barely tougher than regular grunts.

But I think this misses the fundamental point of even having a boss battle. They're meant to be imposing, very fun to go up against and the most memorable encounters in the game. But by having the bosses be so extremely easy you can't have any of that. I don't get what they try to achieve with these pitiful bosses. Even in my worst gaming days I never recall wishing bosses to be weaker and less interesting, especially not in Nintendo games of all things.

Its so strange because Nintendo already managed to have boss battles anyone could clear without making the bosses pitiful. The bosses of Sunshine and Wind Waker were all very easy, but they still require a bare minimum of skill to beat, and if you try hard enough the bosses can theoretically even beat you. If having easy bosses be that central to the team's vision then why not have bosses take after the ones in those games?

 

[XsjadoBlaydette]

Death stranding 1 and 2 has got too much hud. Chill with the hud bro! Was hoping the sequel would find way to make less hud without compromising information, but no. It's like the exact same hud with probably even more hud within the hud. These huds are going fractal. Hey here's an idea for kojumbo, add a new eccentric character called 'Hudsman' who's entire personality is huds. And when you rescue them and they do a silly dance or whatever for their introduction, they then sort out your tangled mess of huds? Cos they Hudsman! Ain't nobody do huds more or better than Hudsman! (I'll accept payment through post or transfer plz Kojumbo)

 

[BrawlMan]

In Mario Odyssey and now in Bananza bosses are so pitifully easy that they practically play themselves. Odyssey at times even changed the ''hit the boss three time to win'' rule by having some bosses require only two hits to kill. Its a boss battle anyone can clear because the bosses are barely tougher than regular grunts.

This is my main issue with most modern Nintendo games nowadays too. At least Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity gave challenging bosses and have interesting attack patterns that an be countered. Yes, Team Ninja was behind game, but Nintendo gave them approval.

I still like playing Nintendo games, but this is why I go certain indie titles that either Nintendo throwbacks or just games in general which doesn't insult the target audience's intelligence.

I hate both Favela shanty town missions in Modern Warfare 2 (2009). I died so many times, I am wondering how this level even got past play testing. I can't even imagine playing this on Veteran difficulty. The only good thing about it are the Collateral reference (the briefcase scene), and the soundtrack. Everything about those two stages are done better in Max Payne 3 any way.

 

[Hades]

This is my main issue with most modern Nintendo games nowadays too. At least Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity gave challenging bosses and have interesting attack patterns that an be countered. Yes, Team Ninja was behind game, but Nintendo gave them approval.

It somewhat depends on the game I think. The BOTW games for instance often have easy but decent enough bosses, with Thunderblight Ganon actually being somewhat hard. And Metroid Dread had some very challenging bosses.

Its mostly the Mario brand were bosses stagnated.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

Its mostly the Mario brand were bosses stagnated.

As far as I can tell, personally, it seems like they save the hard bosses for post-game content. Anyone can reach the credits, but getting 100% takes effort, seems to be what they've been going for, Zelda aside. Super Mario 3D World, Odyssey, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land were all like that, at least.

Honestly, I don't dislike it.

 

[BrawlMan]

It's a shame Arcade Mode never really comes back again in COD, aside from the DS version of Black Ops, and one of the mobile titles. I find it more fun than the Spec-Ops mode. Though that should have been a mainstay too, as these modes were never brought back again for some dumb reason or the other.