[Galactic Council]

Mentalist, on 09 July 2018 - 02:52 PM, said:

I played WoL campaign on Normal back when it came out, but this is a new install, on my gaming PC (rather than my laptop), and I intend to be more casual about it (while playing on Hard... if that makes sense). Especially given it's summer, I can usually muster enough of an attention span to get one mission done and then tinker with the new unit in the armory, unlocking upgrades. Trying to do more, I get impatient, which doesn't really work on Hard,

Once I'm done with WoL, HoS and LoV will be new, uncharted territory for me.

Edit: and just to prove how inconsistent I am: last night I finished the Terrazine mission, did the train robbery, grabbed the 3rd artifact in "The Dig" (siege tanks + a giant laser drill FTW!) AND unlocked Zeratul's crystal and did the first crystal mission.

The game can suck you in when it gets good.

Yeah, I really enjoyed it! The Terran story is my favourite. Zerg are okay, Protoss are intense and awesome! I really enjoy the additional units they've created for each race, and the amount of customization that becomes available, particularly if you get into Coop mode and start buying the additional commanders.

EDIT: Shoot, forgot I wasn't on Blend! This is Blend btw!

This post has been edited by Galactic Council: 10 July 2018 - 07:59 PM

[Maark Abbott]

Still not sold on HZD. Is there a demo of it?

[Malankazooie]

There's many "Let's Play" on YouTube that can give you a feel for what HZD is like and how it plays. But if you're not sold on it by now, I would just recommend moving on.

If you are inclined to check out a Let's Play, then I suggest SideStrafe's channel. He's a thoughtful and intelligent YouTuber and doesn't get in the way of the content. He's mellow.
Here's part 1. Recognize there''s gonna be spoilers.

[Cause]

Maark Abbott, on 13 July 2018 - 12:01 PM, said:

Still not sold on HZD. Is there a demo of it?

Your must overcome your doubt!

[Tiste Simeon]

Malankazooie I only watched little bits of that to avoid story things but dang that's a pretty game! Can't wait to get round to it!

[Malankazooie]

Tiste Simeon, on 16 July 2018 - 09:30 PM, said:

Malankazooie I only watched little bits of that to avoid story things but dang that's a pretty game! Can't wait to get round to it!

It's a great game. I understand if people don't like it. It's challenging for sure. It sort of had the Witcher III effect for me. In other words, at the beginning I was sort of meh on it. I liked it mind you, but it didn't blow me away or anything. But then, there is a moment when things begin to click and you're like "alright, I'm liking this, flipin' a lot!"

There has been some criticisms of the bandit camps, and I agree with those criticisms, but the camps are a small portion of the game. If the machines and the story (as it slowly is revealed for you) doesn't get its hooks into you, then it's probably not for you.

[Maark Abbott]

Cause, on 16 July 2018 - 01:46 PM, said:

Maark Abbott, on 13 July 2018 - 12:01 PM, said:

Still not sold on HZD. Is there a demo of it?

Your must overcome your doubt!

I'd rather just play a demo to see if I actually like the feel of it.

I popped Witcher 3 back on the other day. Man, the quests in this game are repetitive.

[Aptorian]

Your taste in games vexes me.

[Maark Abbott]

Alternative Goose, on 17 July 2018 - 07:13 AM, said:

Your taste in games vexes me.

Forgive me for being from the generation that was able to play trial versions of games to see if we actually liked them before buying.

I dunno, Wtcher 3 has incredibly good voice acting, design, looks great, character models are super detailed... But the quests and gameplay are basically the same every time. "Someone's filled the town pool with fish heads!" *sniffs about in Witcher mode* *that FUCKING SKELLIGE SHEEP* "Oh so it's you* *kills monster*. Tell me I'm wrong.

[Serenity]

You're wrong.

There you go

[Cause]

Maark Abbott, on 17 July 2018 - 07:09 AM, said:

Cause, on 16 July 2018 - 01:46 PM, said:

Maark Abbott, on 13 July 2018 - 12:01 PM, said:

Still not sold on HZD. Is there a demo of it?

Your must overcome your doubt!

I'd rather just play a demo to see if I actually like the feel of it.

I popped Witcher 3 back on the other day. Man, the quests in this game are repetitive.

I demod it over for over 40 hours on your behalf. Game of the year!

[Aptorian]

Maark Abbott, on 17 July 2018 - 07:16 AM, said:

Alternative Goose, on 17 July 2018 - 07:13 AM, said:

Your taste in games vexes me.

Forgive me for being from the generation that was able to play trial versions of games to see if we actually liked them before buying.

I dunno, Wtcher 3 has incredibly good voice acting, design, looks great, character models are super detailed... But the quests and gameplay are basically the same every time. "Someone's filled the town pool with fish heads!" *sniffs about in Witcher mode* *that FUCKING SKELLIGE SHEEP* "Oh so it's you* *kills monster*. Tell me I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

While it's true that many, if not most quests rely on the formula of examine crime scene/talk to NPC -> Track red foot prints -> fight something or someone, it's what happens in between those events that makes Witcher spectacular.

Maybe it's a ghost story, maybe it's a story of betrayal, maybe it's actually a trap, maybe Geralt has to get drunk or disguise himself in some funny way, maybe the whole hunt is just an excuse for Geralt to hang out and with an old friend, etc.

Sure there is a lot of copy paste content but there's so much deep content that it doesn't matter.

[Serenity]

Have to say I'm having a great time with Prey, finding it quite absorbing. Choosing where to spend the neuromods is very difficult as I don't really know how many I'll get in total, especially as you can make them yourself. I'm just under the level with the Typhon powers where the turrets and such will start to turn on me. So far the skill I've used most has been the one that slows time briefly, but Psychoshock and Kinetic Blast look like being fun. Killed the first Nightmare yesterday but may go back and experiment with that fight a bit as I wasn't very ammo efficient.

[Mentalist]

Progressed WoL campaign some more: 3/4 of the Zeratul missions, and finished Tosh and Horner lines (including the secret mission). Maxed out the research trees for both species as well. I feel it's about time to continue Dr. Hanson's line and purge some infestations.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 17 July 2018 - 02:17 PM

[Malankazooie]

Been playing What Remains of Edith Finch. Any of you guys play it? It's a house snooping simulator (like Gone Home). Summer time I like to squeeze in an independent game and take a break from all of the AAA game sameness.

Anyway, it's been a really interesting game. Seems as each room belongs to a member of your family. A family tree can be brought up so you can understand your relationship to each person. As you snoop and discover things their story is told. Even to the point of being taken out of the room and experiencing that snapshot of their life.

Spoiler

The experience of the twin brother on the swing and "flying" as the other brother narrates what actually happened was heartbreaking and exhilarating at the same time.

Been really enjoying it, so had to let you guys know. If you've played it let me know what you think of the game (no spoilers of course ).

[Aptorian]

I've been waiting for a good price on Edith Finch but from everything I've heard it was one of the better games that came out last year.

I think the developer also did Unfinished Swan and I enjoyed that game immensely.

[Cause]

Serenity, on 17 July 2018 - 10:45 AM, said:

Have to say I'm having a great time with Prey, finding it quite absorbing. Choosing where to spend the neuromods is very difficult as I don't really know how many I'll get in total, especially as you can make them yourself. I'm just under the level with the Typhon powers where the turrets and such will start to turn on me. So far the skill I've used most has been the one that slows time briefly, but Psychoshock and Kinetic Blast look like being fun. Killed the first Nightmare yesterday but may go back and experiment with that fight a bit as I wasn't very ammo efficient.

In the beginning they are rare as can be and making them is not easy. That said don't be stingy. As the fame progresses you will get a decent amount and make a fair few. You wont unlock everything but don't be scared to test new powers either.

[Maark Abbott]

Alternative Goose, on 17 July 2018 - 09:59 AM, said:

Maark Abbott, on 17 July 2018 - 07:16 AM, said:

Alternative Goose, on 17 July 2018 - 07:13 AM, said:

Your taste in games vexes me.

Forgive me for being from the generation that was able to play trial versions of games to see if we actually liked them before buying.

I dunno, Wtcher 3 has incredibly good voice acting, design, looks great, character models are super detailed... But the quests and gameplay are basically the same every time. "Someone's filled the town pool with fish heads!" *sniffs about in Witcher mode* *that FUCKING SKELLIGE SHEEP* "Oh so it's you* *kills monster*. Tell me I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

While it's true that many, if not most quests rely on the formula of examine crime scene/talk to NPC -> Track red foot prints -> fight something or someone, it's what happens in between those events that makes Witcher spectacular.

Maybe it's a ghost story, maybe it's a story of betrayal, maybe it's actually a trap, maybe Geralt has to get drunk or disguise himself in some funny way, maybe the whole hunt is just an excuse for Geralt to hang out and with an old friend, etc.

Sure there is a lot of copy paste content but there's so much deep content that it doesn't matter.

Eh, the content for the sub-quests is passable at best. The main quest isn't particularly enthralling in terms of the story and themes (moreso for the character interactions which I won't lie are very well done). But I can't agree that it has lots of deep content. Lots of jacuzzis, a few dive pools, and a lot of paddling pools.

I don't know, this is my problem with extremely hyped games and one reason I've been wary of HZD. Witcher 3 is fun (in small doses), sure, but it's not lived anywhere close to where the hype put it.


And don't get me started on that dick-off of a horse. I walk everywhere on foot. EVERYWHERE.

[Khellendros]

Maark Abbott, on 17 July 2018 - 07:18 PM, said:

Alternative Goose, on 17 July 2018 - 09:59 AM, said:

Maark Abbott, on 17 July 2018 - 07:16 AM, said:

Alternative Goose, on 17 July 2018 - 07:13 AM, said:

Your taste in games vexes me.

Forgive me for being from the generation that was able to play trial versions of games to see if we actually liked them before buying.

I dunno, Wtcher 3 has incredibly good voice acting, design, looks great, character models are super detailed... But the quests and gameplay are basically the same every time. "Someone's filled the town pool with fish heads!" *sniffs about in Witcher mode* *that FUCKING SKELLIGE SHEEP* "Oh so it's you* *kills monster*. Tell me I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

While it's true that many, if not most quests rely on the formula of examine crime scene/talk to NPC -> Track red foot prints -> fight something or someone, it's what happens in between those events that makes Witcher spectacular.

Maybe it's a ghost story, maybe it's a story of betrayal, maybe it's actually a trap, maybe Geralt has to get drunk or disguise himself in some funny way, maybe the whole hunt is just an excuse for Geralt to hang out and with an old friend, etc.

Sure there is a lot of copy paste content but there's so much deep content that it doesn't matter.

Eh, the content for the sub-quests is passable at best. The main quest isn't particularly enthralling in terms of the story and themes (moreso for the character interactions which I won't lie are very well done). But I can't agree that it has lots of deep content. Lots of jacuzzis, a few dive pools, and a lot of paddling pools.

I don't know, this is my problem with extremely hyped games and one reason I've been wary of HZD. Witcher 3 is fun (in small doses), sure, but it's not lived anywhere close to where the hype put it.


And don't get me started on that dick-off of a horse. I walk everywhere on foot. EVERYWHERE.

I loved both the Witcher and Horizon, two of the best games I've played in a while. For Witcher, I thought the stories behind most quests were well done, and I can't remember another game where so many sub quests threw an unexpected twist into the mix, even if the actions you take to move through the quest are largely the same.

I thought that the main quest had some excellent set pieces (the castle siege), but I wasn't blown away until right at the end. Why? Because they ended up doing something that for my money should be talked about on the same level as the likes of Bioshock for narrative twists in games:

Spoiler

When Ciri says 'this isn't your story' to Geralt and you realise that you've been a secondary character in someone else's adventure to save the world. The entire first half of the game, what are you doing? Tracing back through things that Ciri has already done, the adventures she's had. The second half of the game you spend working to accomplish Ciri's goals. The few times you get to play as Ciri, she is nigh invulnerable, a 'traditional' video game hero who cuts through all the henchmen laid before her.

The DLC has superb quests.

Horizon doesn't play with game narratives like that, but it does have a very well-told and surprisingly deep story with some twists of its own (which you might see coming). The quests are definitely also far less memorable, but the world and gameplay is just beautiful. You never get tired of taking down machines in a hundred different ways and it feels totally smooth and natural.

This post has been edited by Khellendros: 17 July 2018 - 09:55 PM

[Khellendros]

But if you don't think you'll like it, then don't play it Anyway, it might some time down the line pop up as a free PS Plus game.