Whatcha Been Playing?

[Chopper]

The power of 'subtle' suggestion!

On the face of it, it's a game which will automatically exclude a large group of gamers - a card game that is also a roguelike, horrific. But it's not a traditional card game in the Magic style; because you can see what the enemies are about to play (eg attack for ten damage, buff for shield, cast an effect on you which will mess your shit up), it's more of a puzzle game where you attack and counter based on the information given to you up front.

The roguelike aspect is terrifically well done. There's so much variation (and several levels of strategy) that every run is a delight. When I played Hades recently, and I got killed near the end, I really didn't want to go through the whole thing again; here I am straining at the leash to jump back in.

[clippa]

I urge everyone to check out slay the spire, especially those who would never even consider playing a card game. You have to trust me on this, the game transcends the genre and is very accessible.
You were saying you fancied a holiday from the breakneck adrenalin pace of shmups, owly, this would be the perfect way to unwind.

Chopper, I'm interested to know, with the mouse you can grab the card and sort of chuck it at the enemy, is it less satisfying using a pad? Does it take longer to play each card, or once you get into the rhythm of it, is it actually faster?

It always seemed like it would be really suited to mobile platforms and touch controls. They'd make an absolute mint if they could get that thing on phones.

[Chopper]

Chopper, I'm interested to know, with the mouse you can grab the card and sort of chuck it at the enemy, is it less satisfying using a pad? Does it take longer to play each card, or once you get into the rhythm of it, is it actually faster?

You can blast through cards no problem. Scrolling through cards is done with the left stick, X to select and play it, while you guide a big red arrow with the left stick again to the enemy you want. That sounds horrible but it's really intuitive and fast.

The UI isn't perfect though - there's a tendency for the tool tips to 'get stuck' on screen (just a navigation thing, easily remedied) and in the case of multiple enemies sometimes the top of your deck obscures the enemy status effects below them. Pretty good overall though.

It always seemed like it would be really suited to mobile platforms and touch controls. They'd make an absolute mint if they could get that thing on phones.

I can't believe getting it out on mobile hasn't been their top priority, it's flabbergasting. Also putting out the PS4 version before the Switch, very strange, unless there was a deal signed with Sony.

[KSubzero1000]

I urge everyone to check out slay the spire, especially those who would never even consider playing a card game. You have to trust me on this, the game transcends the genre and is very accessible.
You were saying you fancied a holiday from the breakneck adrenalin pace of shmups, owly, this would be the perfect way to unwind.

I can stand neither card games nor rogue-likes, but sure, I'll check it out. My backlog is already bursting at the seams and I don't like buying digital games at full price, so it's on the "maybe"-pile for now. I hope this is a single package type thing because if there are twenty DLC card packs lurking in the shadows, I'm out.

[clippa]

It's just a one off payment.
May be DLC in the future though one of the devs says here. I'd imagine that'd only be for a really huge significant update that adds another game mode or a whole new "campaign" or something.

I can't believe getting it out on mobile hasn't been their top priority, it's flabbergasting.

Ha, I couldn't believe it either, in fact I had to google just to make sure.
It threw up this video, looks like there are plenty of clones taking advantage of their procrastination.

Maybe they thought it would devalue the pc and console versions if they went straight to mobile, it'd make a big splash that gamers would notice, they'd have to charge less on there and then people might start to see it as less of a "real game". It might damage the games credibility.

Keeping the slab prodders waiting won't be such a bad thing, I'd imagine it'll still sell well even if they do wait a little while longer.

Oh, there we go, coming this year. Hope it makes them rich!

[ReprobateGamer]

Following on the theme of card games, my Xbox Insider Hub alerted me to Minion Masters

It's a card game mixed with tower assault. You preselect your deck from owed cards (ad you can have 18 decks available to choose) and these correspond in-game to a summoned minion card which then becomes 'alive' and begins it's default action.
You are one end of an arena, your opponent is the other end, both on towers and separated by an infinite drop spanned only by two bridges.
Minions once summoned will path to the nearest bridge then into the opponents half to attack their tower with the ultimate aim of destroying it. If they encounter an enemy minion on the way then they will stop to fight that minion.

Simple enough in concept of course - the strategy comes in that you can only select a card once you have enough mana to cast it and there are only four live cards in your hand at any point, randomly provided from your total deck.

The slight twist is that if you minion is the last one to have touched a bridge, you get XP from that bridge added to a slowly increasing total which will boost passive perks that affect all your forces in play.

Graphically the game is average with some very visible pop-up on some screens; audio wise is functional but not outstanding, with a particularly grating announcer, and the few hours I played last night had a number of server timeout error message pop, once or twice costing me progress. But the error message never popped up during a match, more so impressive in that it features cross play with Steam/Discord with the option on 1v1 or 2v2 gameplay.

As the night went on, I also found a lot more slow-down happening both during matches and on menu screens - a little worrying as it officially launches on Xbox One tomorrow (24th may 2019).

There is work to be done on this game for sure but it largely plays well, has a number of options to pursue (Joining a guild and playing 1v1 to boost it's standing; expeditions, challenges; quick play) and most of the units are distinctive enough to be easily readable except when it gets very busy (and it would be tricky for anything to be readable once a number of units are all trying to share the same space).

Certainly enjoyable enough even with the bugs and I'll be going back into the arena for sure

I also wanted to try out Dauntless last night but couldn't get past the character creation screen before being trapped in an infinite loading screen - with the servers going down not long after. Definitely not a good start for that f2p monster hunter clone

[Chopper]

Maybe they thought it would devalue the pc and console versions if they went straight to mobile, it'd make a big splash that gamers would notice, they'd have to charge less on there and then people might start to see it as less of a "real game". It might damage the games credibility.

That's an excellent point.

If it comes out on mobile this year I'll be buying it for a third time this year

[clippa]

It would be the perfect game to lounge on a settee with.
I wonder if they'll have an option to use the touch screen on the switch version.
Devs haven't really used the touchscreen on the switch, I've noticed, thank god. I remember some of the vita games around launch felt like they had to use it since it was there, I remember a few games, having to let go of the controls just to jab at the screen, pain in the arse. There's a button right there, right next to my thumb!
Would be great for a game like this though where you could play it entirely with the touch screen.

[Alex79uk]

Played a couple of hours of Iconoclasts on Vita today. It's a pretty good MetroidVania with great graphics and a nice feel to the movement.

[stvnorman]

I’m not that far from completing Cuphead on Switch, but I’ve had to put it to one side. I know how to beat the boss I’m stuck on, but after hundreds of attempts I just can’t do it, and it’s got to the point where I’m throwing controllers and punching walls, meaning that’s enough! I think I’ll revert to the easier setting at some point so I can make a bit more progress and maybe see the rest of the game even if that means not “finishing” it, but for now I needed a break, so I’ve played through the whole of Uncharted 2 over the last few evenings.

This is the only Uncharted game I played on release, and this Nathan Drake Collection version on PS4 felt comfortably familiar and just as enjoyable as the first time around. I still got annoyed at the guy on the train that four grenades and four point-blank headshots won’t knock off though… quite what Drake’s melee attack has that they don’t I’m not sure! And now I’ve just installed Resident Evil 2 Remake, which I got for my recent birthday, so looking forward to that next!

[KSubzero1000]

Played a bit of Prey and wasn't really feeling it so I decided to rebel against the system and booted up ECHO instead.

I had to instruct my trusted rubber band (nicknamed Klaus) to "play" through the tutorial for me, though. He was looking a tad dehydrated towards the end, but it's nothing that a quick sprinkle of moisturizer couldn't fix. Plus it gave me the chance to catch up on a few episodes of The West Wing, so it's all good.

Game itself doesn't seem half bad! I dig the aesthetics, it's certainly going for a certain... something, same as the writing. The core gameplay also seems pretty interesting, from what little I could try before bedtime. More thoughts to follow, surely.

PS: Only 90% of the player base grabbed the trophy directly following the main tutorial. My thoughts and prayers go out to the 10% of Klauses out there who didn't make it.

[hazeredmist]

I’m not that far from completing Cuphead on Switch, but I’ve had to put it to one side. I know how to beat the boss I’m stuck on, but after hundreds of attempts I just can’t do it, and it’s got to the point where I’m throwing controllers and punching walls, meaning that’s enough! I think I’ll revert to the easier setting at some point so I can make a bit more progress and maybe see the rest of the game even if that means not “finishing” it, but for now I needed a break, so I’ve played through the whole of Uncharted 2 over the last few evenings.

Love stories of gaming rage I've broke pads before as a bairn, but not being a fan of the cost implications of that in adulthood I moved on to punching my leg and the most bizarre one I found myself doing once was slapping myself hard in the face. After something so dramatic you kinda snap out of it and think "what the FUCK am I doing?" and realise the best thing to do is just what you did here, maybe put the game away for a bit

[stvnorman]

I moved on to punching my leg and the most bizarre one I found myself doing once was slapping myself hard in the face.

I did tone down my gaming rage exploits in my last post. You’re not alone!

Another game done... Does Kid Dracula count as the first Castlevania game I’ve ever finished? It’s on the Konami Castlevania Collection so I say yes! Regardless, it’s a colourful, retro-platforming joy to play that I found to be more like a more forgiving Mega Man than traditional Castlevania. It is over in a couple of hours and isn’t massively difficult, aside from a couple of frustrating sections, but once you memorise them and time things just right (more by luck than judgement in my case) you get there in a few goes. Same with the bosses, which are all fairly straightforward, but varied and enjoyable nonetheless. There’s a really cool post-credits message that I appreciated too!

[Chopper]

There is only.... Slay the Spire

Spoiler: show

out now on PS4

For all the time I have spent at it, and that's a lot, I am pretty terrible at the game. I end every successful game with an extremely bloated deck - 30 to 35 cards - and it has become apparent that I'm just collecting every card (they're all so good! I can's help it! ) and brute-forcing it. What that means is that there's no real skill involved, the success or failure of the run just relies on having lots of cards and hoping they come out in a good order. For example, there will be times when the shuffle results in too many attack cards in a row, and no blocks, and then I die.

So I have been experimenting with smaller specialised decks (20 cards or so) which have cards that work together. Failing miserably at making that work right now. I need to be more disciplined still.

[Chopper]

Played a bit of Prey and wasn't really feeling it

You monster. In fairness, Prey didn't click with a lot of people who actually enjoy that type of game so it was a long shot for you.

PS: Only 90% of the player base grabbed the trophy directly following the main tutorial. My thoughts and prayers go out to the 10% of Klauses out there who didn't make it.

The beginning really is interminable, isn't it?

I got a bit tired of it by the end too, but hopefully the sweet spot in the middle is worth it. It's a very stylish game.

[KSubzero1000]

You monster. In fairness, Prey didn't click with a lot of people who actually enjoy that type of game so it was a long shot for you.

Don't get me wrong! It's still the next "big serious game" on my slate. I just wasn't really in the mood for it the other day with all the sensory overload I've gotten from various shmups in recent times. Plus they seem to be telegraphing their...plot developments rather aggressively.

I didn't give up on SOMA, I won't give up on Prey.

Spoiler: show

And also, I really wanna get rid of those 50+ GB on my PS4 HDD.

PS: This Slay the Spire game sounds pretty neat. Too bad it's PC only, I would have liked to try that.

[clippa]

but but but, it's on ps4 now, choppers been banging on about it for pages, and it's coming to switch on June 6th.
You are such a crap owl. I thought you lot were meant to be observant?

[KSubzero1000]

I've been playing a bit of Opus Magnum! It's so nice to finally be able to check out another Zachtronics game after the excellent Infinifactory last year. Slick and intuitive, can't wait to sink some proper time into it over the course of the coming months.

but but but, it's on ps4 now, choppers been banging on about it for pages

Hey, *pssss* Clippa! Over here...

Spoiler: show

YES I KNOW THAT WAS THE JOKE

[clippa]

Hehe, right, because he keeps going on about it. I get it now

[Chopper]

I've been playing a bit of Opus Magnum! It's so nice to finally be able to check out another Zachtronics game after the excellent Infinifactory last year. Slick and intuitive, can't wait to sink some proper time into it over the course of the coming months.

Isn't that on PC only?

You've changed, man.

Speaking of Prey, have you ever played Mooncrash, Clippa? It's the sysyem-shock type games reimagined as a roguelike, it's pretty special. Though, you would probably need to have some affinity for that type of immersive sim game already, I reckon, as you spend quite a bit of your time crouched behind furniture like some kind of zoo escapee. Mooncrash was my GOTY last year.

Here is some Australian geezer going on about it:



Edit: you could probably skip the first 1:50 which is a bit hectoring.