[Aptorian]

After about a week of playing Metal Gear Solid 5 I think I am about done with the game. I think Phantom Pain is an extremely fun game to play, moment to moment, but it is a profoundly disappointing Metal Gear Solid game. It feels like whole chunks of the game is missing. The motherbase content just feels like filler and time sinks. The open world gameplay never changes. Never evolves. Few of the hallmarks of a great Metal Gear story are there. Few boss fights. Few characters. Little to no dialogue. A brain damaged Snake that never says anything and just stands around like a shrapnel filled potato.

The game has 2 chapters. The first chapter is the main story. The second chapter is a selection of the first missions, on extreme difficulty, that unlock various story bits that do little to satisfy the wounded animal that is this games manuscript.

I tried I really did but playing the second chapter is no fun at all and feels like a punishment when it should be a reward. I will try again later but I think I will just watch the cinematics on youtube.

How the hell this game got 10/10s from people is a mystery to me. If this game ends up on the top of the GOTY lists this year I will be pretty disgusted.

[Maark Abbott]

Still plowing through New Vegas just now. Legionary Assassins can eat a dick. Or five microfusion cells, launched from the barrel of my Gauss Rifle.

[Silencer]

Apt, on 08 September 2015 - 12:36 PM, said:

After about a week of playing Metal Gear Solid 5 I think I am about done with the game. I think Phantom Pain is an extremely fun game to play, moment to moment, but it is a profoundly disappointing Metal Gear Solid game. It feels like whole chunks of the game is missing. The motherbase content just feels like filler and time sinks. The open world gameplay never changes. Never evolves. Few of the hallmarks of a great Metal Gear story are there. Few boss fights. Few characters. Little to no dialogue. A brain damaged Snake that never says anything and just stands around like a shrapnel filled potato.

The game has 2 chapters. The first chapter is the main story. The second chapter is a selection of the first missions, on extreme difficulty, that unlock various story bits that do little to satisfy the wounded animal that is this games manuscript.

I tried I really did but playing the second chapter is no fun at all and feels like a punishment when it should be a reward. I will try again later but I think I will just watch the cinematics on youtube.

How the hell this game got 10/10s from people is a mystery to me. If this game ends up on the top of the GOTY lists this year I will be pretty disgusted.

"Fuck Konami", if I may quote Jim Sterling on everything they've done lately...

But there's also the point that it's a prequel, and so was a bit beholden with the outcome. Haven't played it myself, so can't say for sure, but it's definitely killing it with the critics. I think it's going to be a goty contender whether you like it or not. XD

[Aptorian]

Silencer, on 08 September 2015 - 02:36 PM, said:

But there's also the point that it's a prequel, and so was a bit beholden with the outcome.

You would think so but it's like Kojima didn't even care about connecting the dots or giving long running fans insight into events we've desperately wanted to see.

For example Les Enfants Terrible. I'll put this inside a spoiler box just in case but there is no spoiler in here.

Spoiler

The cloning program is clumsily introduced via a audio tape where Emmerich (Otacon's father) brings up cloning to Snake. Talking about how strong genes should be saved, etc.

Then a child soldier is introduced at one point. He is never really used properly in the story. Nobody ever really has a proper talk with him. Miller raises the possibility that he may be a product of the Les Enfants terrible project in a audio tape and says he will run some tests.

That is it. That is all the information or story related content about Les Enfants terrible in the entire 31 story missions + unlocked cut scenes I saw.

It's not really about what we learn but how dismissively Kojima handles the very project that bridges MGS 5 and the first Metal Gear games.

The entire game is like that. It never goes deep. Everything feels like the first act in a three act structure.

[Defiance]

Silencer, on 08 September 2015 - 02:36 PM, said:

Apt, on 08 September 2015 - 12:36 PM, said:

After about a week of playing Metal Gear Solid 5 I think I am about done with the game. I think Phantom Pain is an extremely fun game to play, moment to moment, but it is a profoundly disappointing Metal Gear Solid game. It feels like whole chunks of the game is missing. The motherbase content just feels like filler and time sinks. The open world gameplay never changes. Never evolves. Few of the hallmarks of a great Metal Gear story are there. Few boss fights. Few characters. Little to no dialogue. A brain damaged Snake that never says anything and just stands around like a shrapnel filled potato.

The game has 2 chapters. The first chapter is the main story. The second chapter is a selection of the first missions, on extreme difficulty, that unlock various story bits that do little to satisfy the wounded animal that is this games manuscript.

I tried I really did but playing the second chapter is no fun at all and feels like a punishment when it should be a reward. I will try again later but I think I will just watch the cinematics on youtube.

How the hell this game got 10/10s from people is a mystery to me. If this game ends up on the top of the GOTY lists this year I will be pretty disgusted.

"Fuck Konami", if I may quote Jim Sterling on everything they've done lately...

But there's also the point that it's a prequel, and so was a bit beholden with the outcome. Haven't played it myself, so can't say for sure, but it's definitely killing it with the critics. I think it's going to be a goty contender whether you like it or not. XD

For my part, I'm really enjoying MGSV so far. Story-wise, I think Snake Eater and Guns of the Patriots will still be my favorite, but I haven't disliked it so far. It's just not engaging as the numbered games were (I wasn't as sold on Peace Walker's story either).

The story wasn't really beholden to much with the outcome. Yeah, some things were inevitable to keep continuity/the canon intact (although it's been altered before), but Snake Eater is an excellent example of a successful prequel that can tell a very powerful story. Most would argue it's the best game in the series.

[acesn8s]

I started a new Mass Effect 3 game using my original Paragon Soldier from waaaay back in ME1. I'm going Renegade this time. I figure Shepherd has had enough and the kid gloves come off. The Reapers have spent countless cycles waiting for sentient organic life to evolve before harvesting them. Well, they've screwed up this time. They pissed off the man too tough to die. Awoken the angry demigod of war. Shepherd is going to make Hari Michaelson look like a dad from a Thursday night family sitcom.

[Gothos]

acesn8s, on 09 September 2015 - 08:52 PM, said:

I started a new Mass Effect 3 game using my original Paragon Soldier from waaaay back in ME1. I'm going Renegade this time. I figure Shepherd has had enough and the kid gloves come off. The Reapers have spent countless cycles waiting for sentient organic life to evolve before harvesting them. Well, they've screwed up this time. They pissed off the man too tough to die. Awoken the angry demigod of war. Shepherd is going to make Hari Michaelson look like a dad from a Thursday night family sitcom.

When I was younger and angrier I found myself usually gravitating towards the Renegade path. Nowdays, whenever I play a BioWare game at try to be an asshole, I end up being either snarky or angelic within an hour or two. Strange thing, that.
If they differentiated between the options to give bigger physical rewards for being red, or penalizing going easy on people from time to time... maybe then it'd have more sense, but right now Renegade Shep is just being an ass without better results (tbh you can get more assets through Paragon choices over the 3 games than otherwise).

[acesn8s]

Gothos, on 09 September 2015 - 10:27 PM, said:

acesn8s, on 09 September 2015 - 08:52 PM, said:

I started a new Mass Effect 3 game using my original Paragon Soldier from waaaay back in ME1. I'm going Renegade this time. I figure Shepherd has had enough and the kid gloves come off. The Reapers have spent countless cycles waiting for sentient organic life to evolve before harvesting them. Well, they've screwed up this time. They pissed off the man too tough to die. Awoken the angry demigod of war. Shepherd is going to make Hari Michaelson look like a dad from a Thursday night family sitcom.

When I was younger and angrier I found myself usually gravitating towards the Renegade path. Nowdays, whenever I play a BioWare game at try to be an asshole, I end up being either snarky or angelic within an hour or two. Strange thing, that.
If they differentiated between the options to give bigger physical rewards for being red, or penalizing going easy on people from time to time... maybe then it'd have more sense, but right now Renegade Shep is just being an ass without better results (tbh you can get more assets through Paragon choices over the 3 games than otherwise).

Completely agree, I hardly ever go full renegade (cue the Tropic Thunder jokes). I find it easier picking the renegade options with the Council and other politicians. Plus, I keep telling myself when I'm harsh with the crew, that this is mother fuckin' Shepherd having no time to mince niceties, except for that one lucky crew member...

I just got to the Grissom academy and got the Mattock assault rifle. I stayed up an extra 30 minutes last night, just pinging Cerberus tools in the head.

[Maark Abbott]

The Mattock has always been my pinger of choice. Love that gun.

Finished New Vegas today. The NCR took Vegas because 'Murrkr. Thinking now I might finish up Thief and then blast through Operation: Anchorage.

[Gothos]

The Mattock is an awesome gun, imo the only better AR in the game is the Cerberus Harrier, which coincidentaly is an upgraded Mattock
There's the Typhoon too but that only really works with the Devastator Soldier in Multiplayr.

[Maark Abbott]

Remind me - was the harrier that burst fire thing?

[Gothos]

Yeah, it's a Mattock with burst firing mode. Extremely powerful, but gets rid of ammo VERY quick.

[acesn8s]

Gothos, on 11 September 2015 - 11:59 AM, said:

Yeah, it's a Mattock with burst firing mode. Extremely powerful, but gets rid of ammo VERY quick.

I'm having fun using the Soldier's Adrenaline Rush to immediately reload my Mantis sniper rifle for a quick follow up shot. So early in the game, I don't really encounter anything bests the Atlas mechs that can stand up to 2 shots (my only 2 single player games were an Engineer and an Infiltrator).

[Gothos]

What difficulty are you playing at?

Me, as Soldier I'd rather use an AR like the Harrier, and for longer range the Indra. Though really, the Harrier is accurate enough to be strong at all ranges except the extremely long. You could alternatively try going for a shotgun (the Reegar Carbine is insane, the Crusader and Graal Spike Thrower very fun and good at medium range, the Piranha is a murderer) and Indra for longer range combat. Generally, not many things are worth the kind of firepower single-shot SRs like Widow or Mantis offer, especially if you don't have the Infiltrator time dilution when zooming in...

Damn, I miss ME3 multiplayer

[Maark Abbott]

I actually had the most fun as an Adept in ME3. I also remember going through Mass 2 on Insanity and the Soldier was the class of choice for that - AR is a lifesaver, combined with the Mattock it becomes downright cheeky.

[acesn8s]

Gothos, on 11 September 2015 - 12:25 PM, said:

What difficulty are you playing at?

Me, as Soldier I'd rather use an AR like the Harrier, and for longer range the Indra. Though really, the Harrier is accurate enough to be strong at all ranges except the extremely long. You could alternatively try going for a shotgun (the Reegar Carbine is insane, the Crusader and Graal Spike Thrower very fun and good at medium range, the Piranha is a murderer) and Indra for longer range combat. Generally, not many things are worth the kind of firepower single-shot SRs like Widow or Mantis offer, especially if you don't have the Infiltrator time dilution when zooming in...

Damn, I miss ME3 multiplayer

Insanity.

I don't think I have all the DLC weapon packs and I haven't played in close to 2 years, so I'm a little out of touch.

I remember playing an Adept as well. Singularity and Warp, rinse and repeat (with Garrus Overload shields).

I think with this character I had a couple teammates die in ME2's suicide mission. It will be interesting to see who shows up and who doesn't. I've seen Ashley, so Kaiden watched the bomb; Miranda and Jack have made appearances. I don't remember if Wrex, Moridin, or Tali made it through.

[Gothos]

Never could quite bring myself to let any of them die in any of my numerous playthroughs of ME2. I only lost Tali on my first one.

[acesn8s]

Gothos, on 11 September 2015 - 06:00 PM, said:

Never could quite bring myself to let any of them die in any of my numerous playthroughs of ME2. I only lost Tali on my first one.

I played the heck out of ME 2. I learned who to pick to ensure everyone survived, but my Soldier play-through was the first and I made some mistakes. It will be interesting to see how this impacts ME3.

I made some Paragon moves last night. I just can't go pure asshole in this game.

[Gothos]

acesn8s, on 11 September 2015 - 06:28 PM, said:

Gothos, on 11 September 2015 - 06:00 PM, said:

Never could quite bring myself to let any of them die in any of my numerous playthroughs of ME2. I only lost Tali on my first one.

I played the heck out of ME 2. I learned who to pick to ensure everyone survived, but my Soldier play-through was the first and I made some mistakes. It will be interesting to see how this impacts ME3.

I made some Paragon moves last night. I just can't go pure asshole in this game.

Tell you what..... I never could myself on several occasions in ME3. Especially not at the end of "acts" (though Rannoch can be a seriously sadistic choice unless you played your cards just right in ME2).
ME3 is more of a tearjerker than people who don't know it realize.

[Tiste Simeon]

Hmm... do I want to go the way of the Reaver, the way of the Templar or the way of the Champion in DA:I? Seems like Champion might fit the way I have played so far the best.

Edit: seems like I can do all 3 missions and make my mind up before going back to the "Specialists" on the walls of Skyhold. Fun!

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 12 September 2015 - 02:29 PM