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Morning.
@tea: Checked out some Beast of Reincarnation gameplay footage. Decided to order it.
Looks good.
@tea: Checked out some Beast of Reincarnation gameplay footage. Decided to order it.
Looks good.
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What are you playing ~ Redux
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deaththekid 
05 May 2007
217
05 May 2007
217
Seven: Enhanced Edition (the PS4 release)
Such a cool setting and fusion of so many genres in an isometric perspective. I finally went back to it after mulling of what I could play that was most similar to Weird West. The biggest problem is that the mechanics are relatively shallow in the long run (you only have so many skills and incremental upgrades to use) and it's a surprisingly big game with an open world, full of verticality and packed with markers. About 10 hours in, I've just started following the main questline to see that through to the end.
63 Days (Xbox Series)
If you liked Mimimi games Shadow Tactics/Gambit or Desperados 3, this might interest you, however it feels way more traditions - like the original Commandos games - and moves at a much slower, more methodical pace. There's a ton of satisfaction to be had knocking of Nazi after Nazi and turning the tide in your favour, but each chapter - think an expanding map with multiple objectives - can take literal hours. I'd play it on PC with mouse and keyboard if you have the choice as gamepad controls just slow it down further.
Such a cool setting and fusion of so many genres in an isometric perspective. I finally went back to it after mulling of what I could play that was most similar to Weird West. The biggest problem is that the mechanics are relatively shallow in the long run (you only have so many skills and incremental upgrades to use) and it's a surprisingly big game with an open world, full of verticality and packed with markers. About 10 hours in, I've just started following the main questline to see that through to the end.
63 Days (Xbox Series)
If you liked Mimimi games Shadow Tactics/Gambit or Desperados 3, this might interest you, however it feels way more traditions - like the original Commandos games - and moves at a much slower, more methodical pace. There's a ton of satisfaction to be had knocking of Nazi after Nazi and turning the tide in your favour, but each chapter - think an expanding map with multiple objectives - can take literal hours. I'd play it on PC with mouse and keyboard if you have the choice as gamepad controls just slow it down further.
Silent Hill 2 Remake (PC)
I always hoped Bloober would have a bash at Silent Hill after The Medium showed promise. It's one of those remakes that won't completely replace the original thanks to the change in gameplay and camera style, but it's very much on the same level of quality as Capcom pulled off with the Resident Evil 2 remake. Respectful, smart changes that add rather than detract, and some truly fantastic motion capture, voice work, and visuals.
I always hoped Bloober would have a bash at Silent Hill after The Medium showed promise. It's one of those remakes that won't completely replace the original thanks to the change in gameplay and camera style, but it's very much on the same level of quality as Capcom pulled off with the Resident Evil 2 remake. Respectful, smart changes that add rather than detract, and some truly fantastic motion capture, voice work, and visuals.
Fantomex 
28 December 2013
293
28 December 2013
293
Fantomex 28 December 2013
293
28 December 2013
293
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS5)
I've reached the point I've been dreading most in my attempt to clear my gaming backlog. In keeping with the theme of 'Spooktober', I thought it would be fitting to finally try to beat RE7.
I just took the chainsaw to Jack Baker. Now, it's back through the mold-infested basement I go.
Give me strength...
I've reached the point I've been dreading most in my attempt to clear my gaming backlog. In keeping with the theme of 'Spooktober', I thought it would be fitting to finally try to beat RE7.
I just took the chainsaw to Jack Baker. Now, it's back through the mold-infested basement I go.
Give me strength...
Fantomex 28 December 2013
293
28 December 2013
293
Silent Hill 2 Remake (PS5)
Despite having heard about the performance issues, I couldn't wait any longer and decided to take the plunge.
Right now, I have few, if any, complaints regarding the gameplay or visuals. The combat has clicked for me, even though it feels like it shouldn't have.
In terms of raw visual sharpness and fidelity, this might be the best-looking PS5 game I've ever seen. It feels like most of my time has been spent trying to pick out little details in the environment.
So far, so good.
Despite having heard about the performance issues, I couldn't wait any longer and decided to take the plunge.
Right now, I have few, if any, complaints regarding the gameplay or visuals. The combat has clicked for me, even though it feels like it shouldn't have.
In terms of raw visual sharpness and fidelity, this might be the best-looking PS5 game I've ever seen. It feels like most of my time has been spent trying to pick out little details in the environment.
So far, so good.
Got back into this too since the v1.5 patch. The PC version is in much better state (even base performance wise), albeit still not perfect. It no longer feels like constant stuttering but there's still a few traversal spots it can get choppy.
In the prison now and discovering the only thing more irriating than mannequin ambushes is spider mannequin ambushes.
In the prison now and discovering the only thing more irriating than mannequin ambushes is spider mannequin ambushes.
Fantomex 28 December 2013
293
28 December 2013
293
Nice! From what I've heard, some of the performance issues are just an Unreal Engine 5 thing, unfortunately. At least Bloober is addressing what they can, though.
Haha, good luck. I actually dropped the game at the prison section. Partly because of the spider mannequins, but also because the non-stop intensity of the (slightly too drawn out) hospital section left me feeling totally drained.
Haha, good luck. I actually dropped the game at the prison section. Partly because of the spider mannequins, but also because the non-stop intensity of the (slightly too drawn out) hospital section left me feeling totally drained.
I know how you feel as the remake gets close to shifting from tension into tedium at times. I guess Bloober was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
They needed to update the combat for a new perspective, and they had to make creatures feel threatening rather than something you could just run past. However, I think they rely on combat too much despite already doubling the length of the game, especially as they can follow you between rooms and you often need to clear them out to push objects/break barriers/access puzzle locks to progress.
My biggest issue though is just the limited encounter desisgn. Before the prison, it's normal enemies + mannequin jumping out from behind walls; from the prison onwards, it's the same thing but now with mannequin jumping from the walls. Every area you enter begins to play out the same way from a combat perspective.
They needed to update the combat for a new perspective, and they had to make creatures feel threatening rather than something you could just run past. However, I think they rely on combat too much despite already doubling the length of the game, especially as they can follow you between rooms and you often need to clear them out to push objects/break barriers/access puzzle locks to progress.
My biggest issue though is just the limited encounter desisgn. Before the prison, it's normal enemies + mannequin jumping out from behind walls; from the prison onwards, it's the same thing but now with mannequin jumping from the walls. Every area you enter begins to play out the same way from a combat perspective.
Crow Country on the Switch
If you like the idea of PS1/Saturn-era survival horror but are not really a horror fan, this is a great pick. More streamlined and narrative-focused than the classics, but it's got great retro aesthetics and a ton of charm that feels both weirdly out of place in the genre, yet also compelling. If you're already a survival-horror fan, it can feel more like a homage and the mechanics won't challenge you (well, maybe on the Murder of Crows difficulty), but the atmosphere, characters, and story are still great.
If you like the idea of PS1/Saturn-era survival horror but are not really a horror fan, this is a great pick. More streamlined and narrative-focused than the classics, but it's got great retro aesthetics and a ton of charm that feels both weirdly out of place in the genre, yet also compelling. If you're already a survival-horror fan, it can feel more like a homage and the mechanics won't challenge you (well, maybe on the Murder of Crows difficulty), but the atmosphere, characters, and story are still great.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Another 3-hour slog to clear the prison and labyrinth and I'm finally at the Lakeview Hotel with the end in sight (apparently still 2-3 hours away). Bloober really did an excellent job in so many regards, but I think there's a reason most survival-horror games wrap up in 10-15 hours max. I've no doubt you could clear the game in 10 hours or less (as an achievement suggests) but as an OG SH2 player player initially keen to explore every part of their remade world, I think my save file is almost 20 hours (and Steam says it's more) and I'm now and feeling fatigue rather than terror.
Another 3-hour slog to clear the prison and labyrinth and I'm finally at the Lakeview Hotel with the end in sight (apparently still 2-3 hours away). Bloober really did an excellent job in so many regards, but I think there's a reason most survival-horror games wrap up in 10-15 hours max. I've no doubt you could clear the game in 10 hours or less (as an achievement suggests) but as an OG SH2 player player initially keen to explore every part of their remade world, I think my save file is almost 20 hours (and Steam says it's more) and I'm now and feeling fatigue rather than terror.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1+2 Remastered (Nintendo Switch)
Playing through the original Soul Reaver now and it's still so good, even if it is dated in design. I loved Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation back in 1999 but Soul Reaver blew it out the water in many regards, with a cool premise, a continuous 3D world devoid of loading, way better 3D movement, awesome block puzzles (honestly!), and both brilliant voice acting and music.
This remaster feels a little less impactful than the Tomb Raider 1-2 Trilogy - mostly focussing on new, higher-res textures and dynamic lighting in certain spots - but swapping to the classic visuals reveals the PC version that already looked like a smoothed-over PS1 version without those iconic wobbly and chunky textures. A worthwhile audio upgrade is the return of dynamic music from the PS1 version.
It's also a fantastic archive, with extensive bonus features that include lore documents, cutscenes and trailers, artwork and renders, the soundtrack for both games, and even "playable" snippets of lost levels - levels that would have seen Raziel ascend into Kain's fortress to destroy him and trigger a human weapon to wipe out vampires for good.
Playing through the original Soul Reaver now and it's still so good, even if it is dated in design. I loved Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation back in 1999 but Soul Reaver blew it out the water in many regards, with a cool premise, a continuous 3D world devoid of loading, way better 3D movement, awesome block puzzles (honestly!), and both brilliant voice acting and music.
This remaster feels a little less impactful than the Tomb Raider 1-2 Trilogy - mostly focussing on new, higher-res textures and dynamic lighting in certain spots - but swapping to the classic visuals reveals the PC version that already looked like a smoothed-over PS1 version without those iconic wobbly and chunky textures. A worthwhile audio upgrade is the return of dynamic music from the PS1 version.
It's also a fantastic archive, with extensive bonus features that include lore documents, cutscenes and trailers, artwork and renders, the soundtrack for both games, and even "playable" snippets of lost levels - levels that would have seen Raziel ascend into Kain's fortress to destroy him and trigger a human weapon to wipe out vampires for good.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Enjoying this a lot but I had no doubt MachineGames would do a great job after reviving the Wolfenstein IP. It's not exactly what I expected, as it moves at its own pace, shifting between more scripted, action-heavy moments and mini-hub areas that offer side activities, investigations, puzzles, stealth, disguises, and isolated brawls.
Getting into a firefight is very rarely viable unless it's scripted, while the stealth-takedowns with random props and brawling mechanics remind me a lot of the excellent Chronicles of Riddick games. The classic stealth is a streamlined Deux Ex/Dishonored system avoiding line-of-sight and using distractions, while the disguise system is similar to Hitman in that only high-tier enemies can see through it.
It also looks and sounds incredible (with no blighted Unreal Engine 5 in sight for once) and does a great job grounding itself in the timeline of the of original trilogy. The tutorial sequence recreates the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark (a boring start, honestly) then it introduces familiar, characters, locations, and Troy Baker's mostly authentic take on the voice.
Enjoying this a lot but I had no doubt MachineGames would do a great job after reviving the Wolfenstein IP. It's not exactly what I expected, as it moves at its own pace, shifting between more scripted, action-heavy moments and mini-hub areas that offer side activities, investigations, puzzles, stealth, disguises, and isolated brawls.
Getting into a firefight is very rarely viable unless it's scripted, while the stealth-takedowns with random props and brawling mechanics remind me a lot of the excellent Chronicles of Riddick games. The classic stealth is a streamlined Deux Ex/Dishonored system avoiding line-of-sight and using distractions, while the disguise system is similar to Hitman in that only high-tier enemies can see through it.
It also looks and sounds incredible (with no blighted Unreal Engine 5 in sight for once) and does a great job grounding itself in the timeline of the of original trilogy. The tutorial sequence recreates the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark (a boring start, honestly) then it introduces familiar, characters, locations, and Troy Baker's mostly authentic take on the voice.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Xbox Series X)
It's a surprisingly chunky game as I'm about 10 hours in and just past the Vatican section doing the main quest/field work quests/and mysteries. Still finding this both a familiar and brilliant rendition of Indiana Jones (visuals, voice work, music, and all), but also a mechanically fun and well-paced adventure.
It's not gonna be for everyone as stealth and disguises are the only viable approach in several areas, but it has a similar vibe to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, in you've got a relatively safe hub you keep returning to after forays into puzzle tombs and stealth/combat zones.
It does lean heavily on the puzzles and storytelling, as it's not that deep mechanically. But it also moves at a brisk enough pace that I rarely notice the stealth sections and punch-ups play out much the same way.
Soul Reaver 2 Remastered (Nintendo Switch)
I always feared there was a reason as much as I loved the storytelling and performances in this IP, Soul Reaver 1 is the only game that sticks in my head. The sequel does its best with an abrupt ending to the first game, offers more great characters and performances, and has some decent Reaver forge puzzles - but then it makes you trek back and forth through and mostly linear world with utterly crap combat. I'd have tolerated it of you could just run past enemies like the first game, but it often locks you into an area until you're done.
It's a surprisingly chunky game as I'm about 10 hours in and just past the Vatican section doing the main quest/field work quests/and mysteries. Still finding this both a familiar and brilliant rendition of Indiana Jones (visuals, voice work, music, and all), but also a mechanically fun and well-paced adventure.
It's not gonna be for everyone as stealth and disguises are the only viable approach in several areas, but it has a similar vibe to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, in you've got a relatively safe hub you keep returning to after forays into puzzle tombs and stealth/combat zones.
It does lean heavily on the puzzles and storytelling, as it's not that deep mechanically. But it also moves at a brisk enough pace that I rarely notice the stealth sections and punch-ups play out much the same way.
Soul Reaver 2 Remastered (Nintendo Switch)
I always feared there was a reason as much as I loved the storytelling and performances in this IP, Soul Reaver 1 is the only game that sticks in my head. The sequel does its best with an abrupt ending to the first game, offers more great characters and performances, and has some decent Reaver forge puzzles - but then it makes you trek back and forth through and mostly linear world with utterly crap combat. I'd have tolerated it of you could just run past enemies like the first game, but it often locks you into an area until you're done.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Still dipping into this after several patches have sorted some side quest bugs from launch and revived/tweaked the A-Life system so many people wanted to see return with the same intensity as the first game.
Don't think it's ever liable to happen simply by virtue of it being open-world rather than segmented, but The Zone certainly feels more alive with the sounds of distant firefights and more patrolling enemies. Problem is it can go both ways. Sometimes you find friendly patrols or their corpses to loot, other times I've found myself trudging from one messy firefight straight into another two or three, before finding a technician and having to blow any loot profits on repairs.
That said, there are still few games like it with an unstructured sandbox design that most devs are terrified of these days.
Still dipping into this after several patches have sorted some side quest bugs from launch and revived/tweaked the A-Life system so many people wanted to see return with the same intensity as the first game.
Don't think it's ever liable to happen simply by virtue of it being open-world rather than segmented, but The Zone certainly feels more alive with the sounds of distant firefights and more patrolling enemies. Problem is it can go both ways. Sometimes you find friendly patrols or their corpses to loot, other times I've found myself trudging from one messy firefight straight into another two or three, before finding a technician and having to blow any loot profits on repairs.
That said, there are still few games like it with an unstructured sandbox design that most devs are terrified of these days.
On the multiplayer front, a mix of Helldivers 2 (PS5), Deep Rock Galactic, and Space Marine 2 (both on XS).
Games that remind me that a) I've always been partial to coop-focussed PvE, and b) I'll happily keep returning to games that are always fun to play whenever you have the time. They all have some degree of live-service elements like seasonal events, but the core gameplay loop is simply fun, and teamwork is always rewarded.
Solo games I'm tackling at the moment are Astro Bot (which might actually edge my feelings on rumble and haptic feedback towards positive), and Tomb Raider IV: Revelations Remastered (as awesome now as it was in 1999 - but I can bring up a guide on my phone in an instant if I missed a key item).
Games that remind me that a) I've always been partial to coop-focussed PvE, and b) I'll happily keep returning to games that are always fun to play whenever you have the time. They all have some degree of live-service elements like seasonal events, but the core gameplay loop is simply fun, and teamwork is always rewarded.
Solo games I'm tackling at the moment are Astro Bot (which might actually edge my feelings on rumble and haptic feedback towards positive), and Tomb Raider IV: Revelations Remastered (as awesome now as it was in 1999 - but I can bring up a guide on my phone in an instant if I missed a key item).
Astro Bot (PS5)
This is a game that I have nothing but admiration for the sheer level of variety and polish, but it's almost so perfectly designed and lacking in any rough edges that it feels like the holotype of 3D platformers. The more I play it, the more I zone out and keep thinking about other 3D platformers I now want to pick up and play again. No idea what to make of that sensation.
System Shock Remake (Xbox Series X)
I love these methodical games so much I would die happy if all I could play for the rest of my life were immersive sims. Games like System Shock, Bioshock, Dishonored, and Prey may lack many cinematic set-pieces or storytelling, I still love the sensation of knowing how I prepare and play is singularly rewarding -
rather than just being railroaded into the same experience as everyone else.
If you were a fan of Bioshock 1/2 or 2017's Prey (how has it been that long without a sequel?!) this remake is easy to recommend and has individual mission/combat/puzzle difficulty settings so you can tweak it into something more modern and guided.
This is a game that I have nothing but admiration for the sheer level of variety and polish, but it's almost so perfectly designed and lacking in any rough edges that it feels like the holotype of 3D platformers. The more I play it, the more I zone out and keep thinking about other 3D platformers I now want to pick up and play again. No idea what to make of that sensation.
System Shock Remake (Xbox Series X)
I love these methodical games so much I would die happy if all I could play for the rest of my life were immersive sims. Games like System Shock, Bioshock, Dishonored, and Prey may lack many cinematic set-pieces or storytelling, I still love the sensation of knowing how I prepare and play is singularly rewarding -
rather than just being railroaded into the same experience as everyone else.
If you were a fan of Bioshock 1/2 or 2017's Prey (how has it been that long without a sequel?!) this remake is easy to recommend and has individual mission/combat/puzzle difficulty settings so you can tweak it into something more modern and guided.
Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition - an awesome game getting more awesome with some enhancements and QoL changes. It's one of those masterpieces that everyone should play.
The First Berserker: Khazan - It's ok, the bosses being complete damage sponges pushed me out of the game so I'll get back to it when I feel like poking something for half a percentage of damage over 20 minutes. If I had a katana at least I'd look cool doing it.
The First Berserker: Khazan - It's ok, the bosses being complete damage sponges pushed me out of the game so I'll get back to it when I feel like poking something for half a percentage of damage over 20 minutes. If I had a katana at least I'd look cool doing it.
Snow_simulation 
24 July 2024
62
24 July 2024
62
Medal of Honor (Xbox 360)
Had to dust off some old hardware as this and its sequel were somehow ignored, despite so many EA-published games ending up back-compat on later Xbox hardware. So far, so average, and it feels like EA was really chasing the Modern Warfare formula with a focus on real-world conflicts. In some ways, it feels more grounded and satisfying, but also a little perfunctory as you move from mission to mission. More realistic, maybe, but I can understand why CoD campaigns always go bombastic with set pieces and surviving improbable odds.
Chernobylite 2 Early Access (PC)
Bit of a shift from the original that I loved, with a more traditional open-world and loot-grind focus I'm not sold on. I'll be waiting on more patches or the console for this one though, as UE5 performance in this early-access build is appalling, to the point it's gone backways since the demo was released.
51 Worldwide Games and Nintendo Switch Sports (NS)
The non-game-playing family-approved means of introducing children into gaming before they branch out into other titles and their interest in gaming as a hobby can no longer be curtailed! Also, I refuse to let my child think free-to-play social games like Fortnite/MineCraft/Roblox represent the pinnacle of video games (even if they're played the most and make the most profit).
Had to dust off some old hardware as this and its sequel were somehow ignored, despite so many EA-published games ending up back-compat on later Xbox hardware. So far, so average, and it feels like EA was really chasing the Modern Warfare formula with a focus on real-world conflicts. In some ways, it feels more grounded and satisfying, but also a little perfunctory as you move from mission to mission. More realistic, maybe, but I can understand why CoD campaigns always go bombastic with set pieces and surviving improbable odds.
Chernobylite 2 Early Access (PC)
Bit of a shift from the original that I loved, with a more traditional open-world and loot-grind focus I'm not sold on. I'll be waiting on more patches or the console for this one though, as UE5 performance in this early-access build is appalling, to the point it's gone backways since the demo was released.
51 Worldwide Games and Nintendo Switch Sports (NS)
The non-game-playing family-approved means of introducing children into gaming before they branch out into other titles and their interest in gaming as a hobby can no longer be curtailed! Also, I refuse to let my child think free-to-play social games like Fortnite/MineCraft/Roblox represent the pinnacle of video games (even if they're played the most and make the most profit).
Started Wolfenstein Youngblood - hmm, changes even more jarring straight after a run through of the three previous games.
'FE3R' - replay of FEAR 3. For some inexplicable reason I'm compelled to finish it. PS2 graphics from a PS3 generation game.
American Fugitive - GTA classic like game. Great fun so far. No radio stations though.
'FE3R' - replay of FEAR 3. For some inexplicable reason I'm compelled to finish it. PS2 graphics from a PS3 generation game.
American Fugitive - GTA classic like game. Great fun so far. No radio stations though.
