I noticed Baba Is You was on Android a couple of days ago and grabbed it right away. I've wanted to play it since it came out but for whatever reason never bought it for Switch. The mobile version was a lot cheaper and it's really a perfect game to play on phone. I've made good progress through the first three worlds but really just hit a brick wall now. The difficulty curve is steep and I think I'm just not smart or patient enough to compete it, but what an interesting and clever game it is. I've still had five hours solid play from it and even if I just dip in and out over the next few months it's been worth it. Just wish it was a little less complicated! Or maybe had a built in hint system.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: I've made it through Cosmo Canyon and back to Nibelheim. Feeling a bit burnt out. This game has an unreasonable amount of 'content', and can be quite annoying about it. That said, I do find a decent amount of it enjoyable, and the game overall is a lot of fun. Everything I liked in Remake is better here, the battle system, characters, music etc. I love the variety of mini games, even if some of them are naff. I'm enjoying it more now that I have completed the original, seeing how they've approached each scenario, although I'm also more aware of all the added fluff. They probably would've been better off condensing it into a two parter, but it is what it is at this point.

Doom (2016): I needed a break from RPGs and a stress reliever, something I can throw on and blast away without thinking too hard. So I decided to pick this game up from its long time on my backlog, and it's fit the bill perfectly. I'm probably not getting the best out of it as I'm ignoring the story, not actively searching for secrets or doing any of the challenges. But I'm enjoying blasting demons and that's all I want from it.

I dug out the old 360 again to play Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, a game that for many years I've wanted to check out since it keeps coming up as a cult classic and a good example of what Arkane were up to before they blew up in popularity with Dishonored. So far it's pretty good. It is significantly flawed though, as it's very janky with controls, performance, and visuals too. But it's interesting as an example of a game that tried to apply the im-sim philosophy in a more streamlined and action-focused way that pre-dates Bioshock. It's fun being able to combine various systems to take down enemies, which the game naturally pushes you towards as just swinging away with your sword isn't that effective on its own. In this game your foot is your most powerful weapon, with a kick letting you knock enemies off balance or in to traps and such. There are other systems at play as well that can create some fun chains of effect. Like one time I threw a jar of oil at a mage who tried to shoot a fireball at me, only to set himself on fire. Then when his companion came running up from behind he walked over the flaming body of the first guy and caught fire himself. It's really cool that the game can facilitate moments like that.

Alex79 wrote: May 19th, 2024, 11:42 am I noticed Baba Is You was on Android a couple of days ago and grabbed it right away. I've wanted to play it since it came out but for whatever reason never bought it for Switch. The mobile version was a lot cheaper and it's really a perfect game to play on phone. I've made good progress through the first three worlds but really just hit a brick wall now. The difficulty curve is steep and I think I'm just not smart or patient enough to compete it, but what an interesting and clever game it is. I've still had five hours solid play from it and even if I just dip in and out over the next few months it's been worth it. Just wish it was a little less complicated! Or maybe had a built in hint system.

This really is brilliant. The more I play, the easier it gets. Well, no, it doesn't get easier as such, the puzzles get fiendishly complicated and the solutions can take an age to work out, but you begin to understand the games language and tricks more easily and can logically work things out better with more practice. Really enjoying this.

Been playing that Balatro that's out these days. I don't get what all the fuss is about and the only reason I've clocked up 15 hours so far is for research purposes to prove that I actually don't like it.

Seph wrote: May 23rd, 2024, 2:58 pm Been playing that Balatro that's out these days. I don't get what all the fuss is about and the only reason I've clocked up 15 hours so far is for research purposes to prove that I actually don't like it.

I'm on 33 hours and still haven't won a game yet but it's testament to how good it is that I've kept playing.

Patiently waiting for the mobile release of this before jumping in. Seems like a prime candidate for a Netflix game, but not sure, will have to wait and see.

I bought a bunch of games in the current Switch eShop sale.

First off, one I've been meaning to buy for years: Dead Cells. I must admit I'm a little tired with rogue-likes at this point which might be why I put off getting it for so long (as well as it never quite hit the right price for me) but it was just over a tenner in the sale at the moment so I bought it. Seems fun so far. It's one of those games, like Rogue Legacy, I'm not sure I'll ever finish, but it seems good for a few goes here and there.

Second I picked up Monster Boy & The Cursed Kingdom for £8. I loved Wonder Boy III: The Dragons Trap back on the Sega Master System but never got round to the remake. This is a spiritual successor and looks lovely. Seems like a quality MetroidVania.

Lastly I bought Lacuna. This is a 2D, sprite art detective noir story based game and drips with atmosphere. Only checked out the first few minutes but it's reviewed well and was under two quid, so I'll look forward to playing it at some point.

Other than that, I've been trying to get through Policenauts before the upcoming Cane and Rinse show. It's a shame this never got an official English translation. I'd be all over a double pack with this and Snatcher, for example, on modern formats. They're quite similar games, but this is the better of the two in my view. A futuristic space detective story, although you can see Kojima's grimy fingers all over it. I love the man, I think he's a true gaming genius auteur, but he's so immature and misogynistic really. But I suppose you know what you're getting with him when you go in.

I've been playing DoDonPachi on the Saturn (Saturn Mode) almost daily for the past 3 weeks and I'm inching closer and closer to the coveted 1 credit clear.

Despite buying all those games mentioned above, for some reason I've spent the morning playing Theme Hospital for PS1 on the Vita. I forgot how good that game was.

I've just started Tunic before it left PS Plus and put a few hours into it over the weekend. I'm really loving it. It was always one of those games I thought I would get around to but deep down knew it was unlikely, however a game club I'm in selected it for June's game which gave me the push I needed. I think when it first came out I had just finished Death's Door and so didn't want to play another similar game at the time.

I've seen people say that it's not like Death's Door but frankly I don't get that opinion, there are some subtleties but I think they are both similar games in the general gameplay and loop which is a mix of Zelda and Souls, but not quite as hard. The only major difference I have noticed so far is that there hasn't been much in the way of puzzles compared to Death's Door. Their similarities isn't meant to be a criticism at all, they're both great, it was just I didn't understand how people could suggest they were very different games.

The combat is fun but the exploration is a highlight, I love it when you discover a shortcut you didn't notice before due to the isometric viewpoint.

Really looking forward to playing more and my mind is at ease knowing that if it gets too difficult there is a plethora of accessibility options to make it easier.

Been going though the Trials of Mana remake on PS4. This is my first Mana game and I am enjoying it quite a bit. The graphics are lovely and the combat is fun and you gain abilities and magic spells at a steady pace. It also showcases that this was a Super Famicom game from the small towns and limited NPC dialogue but that is also a plus for me as I am not spending ages pottering about in towns doing inane sidequests. It is quite utilitarian design, go buy your equipment, rest up at inn and move onto your next destination. This to the point style of progression was something I noted in Final Fantasy IV as well (which I really need to get back to!) and in these days of bloated adventures is quite refreshing to pick something up for a session and get a lot done in little time.

Also trying out Sonic Advance 2. It is a lot more speed focused similar to how fast Sonic 2 on the Mega Drive was to Sonic 1. However a lot of the level themes are repeats of the first Advance which is a shame as Sonic games were always good with diverse level settings. Also, bottomless pits are still a persistent nuisance here, made even worse with the larger focus on speed so you just barrel right into them. Still willing to stick with it though as aside from these gripes I am liking it.

Lastly, I am trying out Story of Thor for the first time in preparation for the Cane and Rinse episode. This was a title I always wanted to try so the podcast has given me good impetus to finally try it out. I actually am digging this quite a bit. Again the sense of progression is rapid and the dungeons are small and compact. The powers from the elemental spirits are also fun to use and spice up the combat a fair bit. The addition of Streets of Rage type brawling with weapon play also makes for a satisfying combat system. Excited to try more.

So pissed off. My EAFC 24 career mode save - 30+ hours, has corrupted somehow and won't load. Crashed the game every time I try to load it. Same thing has happened with my son's save as well. Ridiculous.

Argh!

I bought Cocoon on Switch in a recent sale. This is a very good game. So inventive and smart, like the cliché about Mario games, it comes up with ideas and then moves on, game mechanics never outstaying their welcome. It looks gorgeous too, even on Switch. The intricate alien machines, the way they open and expand, tiny little parts clicking in to place. Sound design is excellent, gameplay is perfect, really liking this. I'm a couple of hours in and currently have four orbs to play with so not sure how far I am in to the game, but really glad I started this. I've liked but not loved Limbo and Inside, but this is another level.

Basically pasting this over from the Thousand Year Door episode chat, but a kind friend lent me the remake over the weekend and I've put a few hours into it and so far I'm enjoying it. I played Mario RPG remake last year and whilst I thought it was ok, I eventually started to get a bit bored, but I can already tell that the battle system in this has more depth to it. I understand that it is longer than Mario RPG which is a bit of a concern for me given my reaction to Mario RPG and Origami King towards the end of those games, but I also understand that TTYD is seen as better than both of those so hopefully I won't get those same feelings of fatigue towards the end.

I'd be interested to know if any changes have been made from the original outside of the graphics.

Having recently got PS+ I downloaded the PS5 version of Ghost Of Tsushima as I'd wanted to play it for a while. To be honest, I got a couple of hours in and deleted it. I found it 'okay' but quickly realised the entire game was likely to be more of the same and found it quite boring in the end. Much the same as the larger Assassins Creed RPG games (although I'm yet to try Valhalla).

So I downloaded Death Stranding Directors Cut last night and played about 2 hours of it. Whilst I appreciate the irony of getting back in to this after saying Ghost Of Tsushima was boring and felt unlikely to add much throughout it's play time, I really like being back in this world, and it has the added layer of Kojima insanity that I am always up for. I've wanted to replay Death Stranding for ages, and it seems like a good time to do it with the sequel likely coming out next year.

Alex79 wrote: June 22nd, 2024, 12:23 pm Having recently got PS+ I downloaded the PS5 version of Ghost Of Tsushima as I'd wanted to play it for a while. To be honest, I got a couple of hours in and deleted it. I found it 'okay' but quickly realised the entire game was likely to be more of the same and found it quite boring in the end. Much the same as the larger Assassins Creed RPG games (although I'm yet to try Valhalla).

I actually did the same a few weeks ago. Wanted to give it a try but got turned off by all of the filler in the missions. It's a shame as it's a beautiful game with decent combat. Just didn't feel like pushing through it.

The Atari 50 collection, which I got for Switch a couple of days ago, is simply incredible. I never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I am. I'm still on the first section of the timeline, the very early days of the arcade (up to 1983 now) but spent hours exploring these old games and watching the interviews.

With the exception of Pong, which is a bit shit, (and Lunar Lander which I'm just not in to) every single game so far has been fun to play. There are some exceptional games I'd never heard of before. Black Widow is a super fun twin stick shooter, and Akka Arrh which is a riff on the Missile Command format with some extra gameplay mechanics too, there's just so much great stuff on here. And at over 100 games for £20 you can't deny the value. This is just an incredible collection, such a lovely piece of software for any old game enthusiast.

Just so you're aware, there's a great new version of AKKA ARRH by Minter, available separately.