Whatcha Been Playing?

[macstat]

Ive been playing a bit of Outer Worlds. What a shame. its a good game, great even. But all this time i can only think "Its not as good as Disco Elysium". Its really a shame that hose two came out in less than two weeks from each other. It would be much more enjoyable experience.

Also Outer Worlds has the dumbest toilet design. Literally and figuratively unusable

[Chopper]

What builds are you guys playing in The Outer Worlds, eg 1 Handed Melee, Sniper or whatever, and how is it?

I am playing State of Decay 2, the Heartland DLC, which takes you back to the original game's Trumbull Valley, for a scripted campaign (the original is more open ended survival with goals). It's good, quite difficult - all the zoms are now 'infected', but this is balanced out by giving you a great base straight off the bat, and all potential recruits are hand crafted with great skills now, rather than procedurally generated like before (so you will no longer be tempted to recruit that Scrum Project Manager over a Demolitions Expert).

[DomsBeard]

Spider-Man continues to delight and frustrate in equal measure. There are various points where you

Spoiler: show

don't play as spider-man

and they are so dull and frustrating it takes away from what is a great super hero game. Combat is fun and the story hasn't been overly predictable

Spoiler: show

I hope they twist Doc Ock on its head and he is a good guy

. I did set out wanting to 100% it but the map has vomited out so many icons (pigeon catching!?!?!) I won't bother now. Combat is has a great flow to it now I have unlocked a few options.

Started The Outer Wilds and I can tell I'm going to have a good time with it. Decided to go off the rails instead of being super Paragon and be well an arse. Sent two people to their deaths already and bullied someone into giving me their gun. Good stuff

[Caligulas Horse]

Spider-Man continues to delight and frustrate in equal measure. There are various points where you

Spoiler: show

don't play as spider-man

and they are so dull and frustrating it takes away from what is a great super hero game. Combat is fun and the story hasn't been overly predictable

Spoiler: show

I hope they twist Doc Ock on its head and he is a good guy

. I did set out wanting to 100% it but the map has vomited out so many icons (pigeon catching!?!?!) I won't bother now. Combat is has a great flow to it now I have unlocked a few options.

I felt the same way on those points and it was starting to get me a bit down on the game but by the time the end credits rolled those sections felt pretty insignificant to the overall experience.

I was also starting to doubt whether I would clear everything, pigeon catching seemed ridiculous but I ended up seeing all of the side missions as an excuse to swing around a bit more. I think they did such a good job with the web swinging that it makes the most mundane missions enjoyable (podcasts in the background can help also!)

[Flabyo]

Most of my points in Outer Worlds are into long guns and stealth, I’ve treated all the melee stuff (both attack and defence) as dump stat, and I’ve got the bare minimum into the skills that affect companions to unlock their secondary talents and no more.

Melee does seem like it would be totally viable though, there isn’t the same kind of long distance sniping opportunities (so far) as there is in New Vegas.

The skill system here is interesting in that you can raise a whole group of skills (eg, all the gun skills) by just spending one skill point, until any of the skills in that group reach 50 (out of 100), and then you have to raise the skills individually from then on. So you can get, for example, all the dialogue type skills up to a value high enough to do fun things, but if you want the really crazy things you then have to start specialising.

[Alex79]

The differential applies drive to all wheels equally - so if you were in a situation where you were stuck, rather than all the power being directed to the wheels that aren't stuck, it puts an equal amount to the stuck wheels. Or on a climb etc. On a paved surface, the wheels are powered independently, so when you turn at speed, the wheels on the outer side of the truck have to turn more than the ones on the inner side. If you have the diff on, you might see a small loss of control.

On the higher difficulty, engaging it on paved surfaces damages your engine and it uses more fuel (there is 'tactical refuelling' in this game ).

If you see a vehicle without 4WD or Differential steering or whatever it's called, it's not really suitable for off road.

Using 4WD on a paved surface also uses more fuel.

Sorry, I only just notice this reply! Thanks for the info

[duskvstweak]

The wife and I went through Street Fighter 1,2,Alpha,3,4 & MvC3 over the weekend. Considering I've been playing Street Fighter since I was a small child, I didn't appreciated the sound thumping I received through the course of all the games. My mom also used to beat me in SF2 as Chun-Li.
I guess I'm destined to always be defeated in SF by the women in my life : (

On a more positive note, it's always fun going back to the series. I only recently got to 3 and 4 because of the 30th Anniversary release and they're both a joy to play. Still haven't played 5 and not sure I'm going to anytime soon until the game and all the DLC characters are bit cheaper.

[ReprobateGamer]

Most of my points in Outer Worlds are into long guns and stealth, I’ve treated all the melee stuff (both attack and defence) as dump stat, and I’ve got the bare minimum into the skills that affect companions to unlock their secondary talents and no more.

Melee does seem like it would be totally viable though, there isn’t the same kind of long distance sniping opportunities (so far) as there is in New Vegas.

The skill system here is interesting in that you can raise a whole group of skills (eg, all the gun skills) by just spending one skill point, until any of the skills in that group reach 50 (out of 100), and then you have to raise the skills individually from then on. So you can get, for example, all the dialogue type skills up to a value high enough to do fun things, but if you want the really crazy things you then have to start specialising.

I'm pushing a higher count into the 'soft' options in talking, science and tech - and even with that even in the first area there are already dialogue options I've not been able to pick. It gives a nice passive talent in that enemies will sometimes just cower in fear! Both melee options and the defense options are my dump stats but I have began to siphon one or two points across so they don't get too far behind

Domsbeard - do you mean the Outer Wilds. Or the Outer Worlds?

[Flabyo]

One thing that’ll help you tell the two apart, there’s no definite article in the title of Outer Wilds. (Ie, it doesn’t actually have ‘the’ in its name)

[stvnorman]

I’ve been adding to my GameCube library for a while now, having never really given it the love it deserved when it came out, and this month I’ve been successful in getting some of the last of my targets at decent prices - Resident Evil 4, Donkey Konga (with drums), Viewtiful Joe and, after months of failed eBay auctions, Super Mario Sunshine. I picked the latter up this week for £16, and I’m only a few levels in but so far it’s an absolute joy to play. My first 3D Mario too! It runs so smoothly despite sometimes looking more low-res than a lot of GameCube games do on a new TV; that said, sometimes it looks stunning too. Now just Mario Smash Football and F-Zero GX to find, ideally at similar prices!

Also finished the brilliant Bleak Sword on Apple Arcade, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you’ve got an Apple device, sign up for the free trial and play it (with a PS4 or Xbox controller)! Currently number three on my games of the year list, one spot behind Resident Evil 2 Remake, where I just finished the 2nd Story mode. Really enjoyed the second character perspective and the true ending (according to my trophy list), and really just enjoyed a reason to play it again! Definitely worth the second play-through.

[Stanshall]

I'm on my hols properly now so hammering a range of Switch stuff with a cold tinnie almost round the clock:

Divinity Original Sin 2 . This is such a rich game, really well polished, insane depth that I can't begin to appreciate and it's very much the next step beyond Diablo and Fire Emblem's combat child. Having a great time and dying loads even on Monkey difficulty.

Steins; Gate. I just fancied a visual novel and this popped up for half price by coincidence. They seem dead expensive in general for whatever reason but at 24 quid I'm willing to take my chances. Meant to be one of the very best. I keep playing it in bed but have to restart every night because it sends me to sleep. Nice atmosphere, daft dialogue in a good way.

Overwatch. Really getting into this now. I can see how important the team stuff is so it's very variable whether my team gets battered or whatever because I'm not talking to the buggers. Can't be anused with voice chat, to be honest, but I'm playing support and tank a lot and sticking to the gang and doing my part.

Rolling Gunner . This is just a frigging great game, almost as good as actual Cave stuff and it's probably my favourite hori shooter. Chuffed to see haze get the 1CC on it and to see a number of folk on here playing it. If you're tempted by a shmup and you don't really play the genre, this is very accessible and really great fun.

Witcher 3. Such an atmospheric bedtime game with the headphones. I decided not to play through the main game again but I never really did much of the DLC because there was just too much game at the time but that's what I'm doing now, anyway. I don't feel quite the same attachment to my build of course but it's not really about builds, it's all the same old shite besides the characters and stories.

Ghost Blade HD. Good little Cave rip-off. Clippa reminded me that the devs are a bit dodgy but I'm happy to sling them a tenner for a decent little handheld vert. I'll hope to gradually chase KSub's score attack HS over time, but I find this game bloody hard.

[ReprobateGamer]

Another of the irregular board games entries - yesterday marks the first time that I have ever played Game Of Life.
For one of the Hasbro/MB Games 80s/90's era games this isn't too bad. There is actually a little bit of strategy to it and isn't just a rush to the end (though that is a largely viable tactic ...) and even my youngest daughter has been able to grab the idea of it. I've also found my most favourite bit of flavour text ("You inherit a skunk farm ...")

Coming back a little more to video games, I also unearthed my Android version of Talisman A board game that I've never actually physically played but which I've played the digital version of it a few times over the years. I presume this is a pretty good version but there is a little bit of fiddliness to it - the troll character managed to immobilise himself on the Crown of Command (the central square you need to reach in order to win the game) as the spell casting is a little unwieldy in the version I have. I was playing solo but trying to get six characters through the game. Narratively it ended up interesting with the Troll failing to get past Death on his first attempt, restoring his health then trying again and forcing his well through the second time reaching the centre and beginning the spell that kills off all the other player characters, though with only 1 hit point left. The Wizard who had been building his craft all game then made a determined dash to the centre (including killing six pit fiends in a single turn!) and slew the Troll, taking over the Crown of Command. The Druid made a spirited attempt to make the centre whilst Fighter, Monk and Ghoul consistently failed to get through the Portal of Power to even reach the central section. Despite the Druids attempt, he died just before reaching the Wizard and the game ended with the others having to accept their fate.

I think this is definitely a case of the physical game doing it better but as it's something that Games Workshop only seem to release every few years. the digital version will have to do for now.

And on other video games, still slowly playing Picross Luna 2 (it's been played at least a few minutes every day for around 18 months now) and Minion Masters

Finally, powered up Rainbow Six Siege for pretty much the first time since the Outbreak event. Specifically going into try the Doktor's Curse event (which is hide and seek with two-handed mauls!). The gametype works well and is a fun little Halloween themed diversion - the only issue was that my last game of the session was marred by a most toxic team-mate. All swearing and trash talking the rest of his team for being useless, even on the round where he was the only one to die. Winner of the first person I've felt the need to report as he spammed voice chat with his bile for the entire game. A disappointing end to what was otherwise a fun little casual gametype.

[Chopper]

Most of my points in Outer Worlds are into long guns and stealth, I’ve treated all the melee stuff (both attack and defence) as dump stat, and I’ve got the bare minimum into the skills that affect companions to unlock their secondary talents and no more.

Melee does seem like it would be totally viable though, there isn’t the same kind of long distance sniping opportunities (so far) as there is in New Vegas.

The skill system here is interesting in that you can raise a whole group of skills (eg, all the gun skills) by just spending one skill point, until any of the skills in that group reach 50 (out of 100), and then you have to raise the skills individually from then on. So you can get, for example, all the dialogue type skills up to a value high enough to do fun things, but if you want the really crazy things you then have to start specialising.

I'm pushing a higher count into the 'soft' options in talking, science and tech - and even with that even in the first area there are already dialogue options I've not been able to pick. It gives a nice passive talent in that enemies will sometimes just cower in fear! Both melee options and the defense options are my dump stats but I have began to siphon one or two points across so they don't get too far behind

Yeah, I saw an account by someone who went dumb as a brick/all points into Strength/2H Melee, and he was having an absolute blast.

Guess I can try this out on game pass, though I’ve moved away from that Fallout New Vegas vibe.

[DomsBeard]

Most of my points in Outer Worlds are into long guns and stealth, I’ve treated all the melee stuff (both attack and defence) as dump stat, and I’ve got the bare minimum into the skills that affect companions to unlock their secondary talents and no more.

Melee does seem like it would be totally viable though, there isn’t the same kind of long distance sniping opportunities (so far) as there is in New Vegas.

The skill system here is interesting in that you can raise a whole group of skills (eg, all the gun skills) by just spending one skill point, until any of the skills in that group reach 50 (out of 100), and then you have to raise the skills individually from then on. So you can get, for example, all the dialogue type skills up to a value high enough to do fun things, but if you want the really crazy things you then have to start specialising.

I'm pushing a higher count into the 'soft' options in talking, science and tech - and even with that even in the first area there are already dialogue options I've not been able to pick. It gives a nice passive talent in that enemies will sometimes just cower in fear! Both melee options and the defense options are my dump stats but I have began to siphon one or two points across so they don't get too far behind

Domsbeard - do you mean the Outer Wilds. Or the Outer Worlds?

Worlds, been waiting for it to trip someone up and it was me!!

[Suits]

Very much still enjoying The Outer Worlds.

I’m level 17 now and about 20 hours in.

I’ve been poking around at whatever looks interesting and following the most interesting quests regardless of the main storyline.

Interestingly, I stumbled across a sort of hidden areas and found a terminal that led me on a quest for a series of prototype weapons.

This in turn led me to a planet (the back way in) that meant that I inadvertently bypassed a whole main story quest where you need to search/trade/purchase landing co-ordinates - which is now listed as Botched but the next mission is available in the series.

Which felt great, really adventury and self exploring.

I’ll be cooking it for a while though as Luigi’s Mansion 3 landed today and I’m keen for that.

[Flabyo]

Obsidian are pretty well known for crafting their games such that there’s always a way to shortcut, always a way to ‘take a third option’ as they call it on tv tropes.

There’s plenty of that here (not quite as much as there is in Alpha Protocol, but then I can’t see anyone ever trying that again)

[ColinAlonso]

I'm about 50 hours and 9 chapters into Final Fantasy XV. I just find it so chilled and relaxing. It's beautiful (obviously) and cruising around the world with the bros just seems to fly by. I find that their general dialogue repeats too often, for example, there seems to be about four pieces of dialogue that happen every time I set up camp for the night which happens a lot. But the unique dialogue in quests or new locations helps keep the feel of the group being good friends, more-so than most JRPGs anyway, as its often good-natured banter.

The combat I don't find exciting or engaging, what I do find interesting about combat in the game is that its more often in service of a quest or dungeon, with far less battles just happening out in the open.I quite like that.

I'm keeping up with the story but it hasn't grabbed me. There's a bit of intrigue, particularly regarding some characters motives but I'm not sold on the plot yet.

I can easily see myself putting a lot more time into this before I finish. The game just strikes me as odd but in a good way.

I am sooooo stuck on Super Metroid. I finally got into a proper bit of Maridia but now I really don't know what to do. I'll reach for a walkthrough soon, but I really wanted to finish this without doing that. Great to play and I would have adored the game, had I played it at the time.

Started Ring Fit Adventure over the last 2 days. As the evenings have become cold, rainy and dark, I thought this might be a good alternative to my walks/light jogs in the local park. I'm still trying to figure out what difficulty I should have it at and how long I should play in each session before I post any thoughts.

[stvnorman]

Two minutes ago I was right at the end of Uncharted 3 on PS4. Second to last chapter. Then the game froze and I got a corrupted data message when I tried to reload it. Last cloud save two days ago. I am furious!!!

[Jon Cheetham]

Hello all, new in the forum and thought I'd post here. This was the year I got into From Software (thanks to becoming obsessed with Sekiro) so I've been playing almost nothing else, nearly got the Bloodborne platinum now and 2/3rds through a second playthrough of Dark Souls 3, just started a new character on Dark Souls Remastered as well and am up to Quelaag. Play a little bit of DS3 PvP a couple of nights a week, just in the "Undead Matches" arena. The Cane and Rinse podcasts are the perfect accompaniment for this by the way, I usually pop one on and wait for the matchmaking.

Been playing Monster Hunter World too. The environments are cool and I like swapping out equipment and weaponry whenever without relying on stats, though the animations of the creatures are so well done I often end up feeling sorry for them when they try to get back to their nest.

Also, very slowly playing Death's Gambit as it is being covered by Bonfireside Chat at the moment, I am up to Ione and the giant boi on a Blood Knight build.

However like with Hollow Knight I am taking some time to get used to the fact it is a side scroller, I realise 2D games have notbeen part of my diet since playing Sonic as a very young kid. My brother made the point that the currently popular Soulslike side scrollers might not be the ideal entry point, so I picked up Steamworld Dig 2 and Momodora 4 in a Steam sale this week to see if I can get used to playing this way... love the atmosphere of Momodora. Death's Gambit and Hollow Knight both have wonderful worlds too and I hope to do them justice eventually. It does feel like I've bitten off a lot, I keep starting things and just going back to Soulsborne games, which seems like it will go on for a while yet.

stvnorman, sorry to hear about that crash that is horrible timing...

[macstat]

I finished playing Outer Worlds. Its a good game but it felt a bit short for me. Its a bit too short, and i felt like some stories were underdeveloped. I also have same problem i had with other space epics (like Mass Effect or KotOR)... they just don't feel epic enough. Space is supposed to be the final frontier and they are usually limited in their ability to explore.
But its still a fun game and i enjoyed the fact that i could play it as a int/persuasion character without feeling im forcing it. Its definitely Obsidian game with how you can solve your missions.