Ultimate Paradise

General Category => Video Games => Topic started by: Random on 04 March, 2016, 01:34:50 pm



Title: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2016, 01:34:50 pm
Making this now in anticipation of my Bloodborne playthrough which will start in the near future, and two people wanted me to comment on that in the way I did when I played DeS and DS1. The plan is to start once I finish up with Peace Walker and XCOM 2, and I'm close to an end of both.

Of course it probably would have been cool to have had this up to talk about playing through the rest of the MGS series, but I guess there's no time like the present.

I'll be getting MGSV at some point, too, so that will go in here, and everything that follows.

Dark Souls III. Uncharted 4. The Witcher at some point. I'll just try to remember to put thoughts in here.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 04 March, 2016, 01:35:43 pm
i really wanted that mgs commentary


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2016, 01:44:05 pm
I mean we talked about it a lot I think, but you can certainly pose questions. The games are pretty fresh on my mind.

I'm still liking Peace Walker a lot. It gave me a similar feeling to Snake Eater where I feel like I'm actually playing the game more than "experiencing" it. I saw the credits, but now I'm starting on Chapter 5 which takes place after those. I don't know how much more there is but if I really put my mind to it I'm guessing I could finish that this weekend.

Also I got in a Love Box with a teenage girl, so that checks the box of "Kojima is a perv" for this game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 March, 2016, 01:50:29 pm
This topic is pleasing to me. I can't wait for Bloodborne comments.

gimme xcrom 2 details am i dead yet


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2016, 01:54:51 pm
You are not dead. Far from it, you are almost a fully fledged Psi Operative. You haven't been on a mission yet though because my other Psi Op stays healthy. I may give him a rest on my next mission though. Let you flex your mind a bit.

Youef is also on my squad as my backup medic.

I'll try to remember to grab screencaps of you two chuckleheads.

I'm taking my time finishing that game. I'm more or less at the stage of the campaign where I can just lay waste to whatever I'm up against. It feels good, but I should probably up the difficulty on my next playthrough, which will probably be this summer when the DLC comes out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 March, 2016, 02:00:35 pm
yeah you better screen cap it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2016, 10:39:01 pm
I don't really mind that Outer Ops are a thing in Peace Walker, but I wish my soldiers were a bit smarter. Always frustrating to see them grinding down a tank with SMGs, letting it kill two of them, and then finally someone pulls out a rocket and blasts the thing.

My helicopters keep getting shot down too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 March, 2016, 12:41:44 am
Currently I'm playing an extended game of hide and seek with Steve Blum.

Also I just found and recruited Kojima. His bio says "70% of my existence is movies. It's up to you to decide what to make of the remaining 30%."


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 05 March, 2016, 12:48:12 am
gravure idols and cocaine in equal measure


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 March, 2016, 04:44:09 pm
Got the true ending of Peace Walker. Really really fun game, just top to bottom honestly. And I could keep playing, too. I could keep going until I've got all S rank soldiers, capture all the armored units, perfect ZEKE's AI. I like that it's a game I can go back to and just pick up without having to play over again, honestly.

That said, this does clear the way for me to start Bloodborne, and I probably will do in the next few days.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 05 March, 2016, 04:54:16 pm
I imagine you'll like MGS5 if the idea of Peace Walker type gameplay in an open world appeals to you.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 March, 2016, 05:50:16 pm
https://youtu.be/V4FHs-_nRNg?t=1967

Really prescient thoughts here from my man Matthew Matosis.

I imagine you'll like MGS5 if the idea of Peace Walker type gameplay in an open world appeals to you.
I suspect you are correct. I admit a small part of me just wants to go out and buy that game tomorrow and start that instead. But I'll restrain myself for the time being.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 March, 2016, 06:24:39 pm
Also I just found and recruited Kojima. His bio says "70% of my existence is movies. It's up to you to decide what to make of the remaining 30%."

An admirable way to live, really.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 March, 2016, 01:58:19 am
As promised.

(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/499143085904248592/F33C5647F03DA2797DC42077930265B1447D15C0/)

(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/499143085904249014/07FD38B9578CCDAF59C7B6E701DB5D4536B8A243/)



Also I'm probably going to beat this game tomorrow. My squad wrecks everything.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 March, 2016, 09:22:47 am
oh my god those are spectacular


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 March, 2016, 11:04:43 am
Oh god that biography lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 06 March, 2016, 12:35:17 pm
oh lawd Floyd's face


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 March, 2016, 12:38:40 pm
Psi training turns your hair white and your eyes purple, by the way

GIANTS
GIANTS
GIANTS


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 March, 2016, 12:39:10 pm
BECOME
UNSTOPPABLE


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 March, 2016, 12:40:13 pm
HEALTH
STAMINA
ENDURANCE

EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER WANT


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 March, 2016, 01:04:51 pm
Ordered Ground Zeroes. I feel like that (fraction of a) game should be down to like $10 but oh well. Will probably set aside a few hours next weekend to go through that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 March, 2016, 01:45:58 pm
i actually played more of ground zeroes than phantom pain woops


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 March, 2016, 05:27:39 pm
XCOM 2 is beaten. Earth is avenged. That final mission was crazy and I'm quite drained. Probably just gonna take it easy the rest of the night.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 March, 2016, 06:56:50 am
Now quick, send me your PC so I can play it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 March, 2016, 09:26:26 am
ok yeah boxing it up now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 March, 2016, 09:40:44 am
great thanks man


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 March, 2016, 12:05:36 pm
also probably gonna put off starting Bloodborne another day because I'm going to see Zootopia tonight #priorities


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 March, 2016, 05:00:32 pm
I wanna see that movie.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 March, 2016, 09:39:49 pm
It was excellent.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 March, 2016, 06:50:33 pm
Ground Zeroes arrived in today's mail.

Starting Bloodborne now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 March, 2016, 06:54:15 pm
good luck without a shield bro


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 March, 2016, 07:04:08 pm
...beasts all over the shop...


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 March, 2016, 07:35:58 pm
a shaggy dog killed me

I took the cane and the pistol because I picked Professional, so those weapons scaled well with my high starting "Skill."


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 March, 2016, 08:13:18 pm
this feels like a very different game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 March, 2016, 08:15:52 pm
I could never use the cane for some reason. Did you fight the Cleric Beast yet?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 March, 2016, 08:58:31 pm
I have not. I've had a hell of a time just getting past the initial mob of dudes. Once I finally did I got killed by some more shaggy dogs up on top of a bridge.

The cane feels like a mistake. Not a lot of stopping power.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 March, 2016, 09:07:42 pm
Well, you're still pretty early enough in the game where you could always restart. I loved the Hunter's Axe as a starter weapon personally. I used it for my entire playthrough, until I got the Whirligig Saw in the DLC.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 March, 2016, 09:19:11 pm
I'm on the verge of accomplishing nothing tonight, so I'm probably gonna start over tomorrow. Getting a bit of a wakeup call.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 March, 2016, 09:24:12 pm
welcome to bloodborne lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 March, 2016, 10:05:17 pm
I managed to get a little bit further by walking past the big dogs. Dropped down into a sewer-ish area, fought some gnarly dudes and some big rats. Found the Hunter's Garb, so I know where that is now. Climbed out of the sewer, opened a shortcut, and then I was back at the dogs, and they killed me.

So tomorrow I'll take that axe instead and maybe get somewhere.

I really haven't seen any of what I'd assume are "friendly" people to talk to, aside from knocking on doors. Like I'm assuming there's someone or something at the Hunter's Dream that will let me level up?

Other basic knowledge I've gathered is that I shouldn't worry about "wasting" blood vials. They seem plentiful. Same with bullets, though I'm nowhere near to getting the timing for the gun. I kinda stuck to the torch once I got that.

But yeah, the cane just doesn't have the stopping power I really enjoy. Feels like the falchion all over again. Definitely going to start over tomorrow with the axe, but what's the cleaver like?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 March, 2016, 10:30:59 pm
The cleaver is also pretty good, and it's a pretty popular starting weapon. It has some weight to it, and it's faster than the axe. However, I didn't think it's transformed state was much different aside from having a little more reach. I preferred the axe, because it doubles as a halberd, so there's quite a bit of moveset variety. I'd say go with the axe if you want Strength. The cleaver might be useful if you want to try for Skill, but I think you could even start off with the axe if you decide to go for Skill, since the Axe's scaling between Strength and Skill isn't that different until you start to reach like +3 or +4 or something.

You'll find NPCs, but they aren't as plentiful as in Dark Souls, nor do they stop by in the Hunter's Dream. They have their own little place where you can send them later on. It's not too far off from where you are. However, you can find Eileen in the beginning of the game. I'd recommend looking up where to find her since she's kind of hidden (or just explore yourself), because her quest line is fun and gives you a really amazing Skill-based weapon by the end.

Also, shoot the dogs. Guns are extremely effective at knocking them away. It's just a good way to give yourself some space...I agree that they're horrible enemies, but the hunter's pistol made them much more manageable for me.

that's just my beginner's advice i guess


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 March, 2016, 05:36:08 am
I had a hell of a time starting out as well (I had a hell of hell of a time in general actually.) For what it's worth, I picked the cleaver because the serrations do extra damage against the shaggy dog guys (I think just in its shorter form.)

also if you find an item called madman's knowledge use it asap


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 10:22:48 am
I did find one of those, so at least I know where one is now.

Also remembered that I hadn't bought Old Hunters yet, so I've done that now.

I've looked at a few "tips" guides and I'm kinda torn between the axe and the cleaver. Think I'll probably just start with the axe and buy the cleaver as soon as I can.

What was your starting build?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 March, 2016, 11:16:46 am
I did Cleaver and Blunderbuss at the start with I want to say Violent Past or Military Veteran? Or maybe even Lone Survivor. I can't recall right away but I mostly did strength this time around since I never quite got the hang of parrying and there were just more strength weapons available (outside of the DLC I think.) I ended up using Ludwig's Holy Blade through the entirety of the game once I got it.

Old Hunters is (unsurprisingly) really great through most of it so be glad you got it. There's one boss that was literally my waking nightmare and among my most loathed bosses in the series but otherwise its mostly uniformly great even when I was considering giving up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 11:24:59 am
At one point last night I foolishly thought "Well since there's no shields, at least there's no parrying," but then reading stuff today I realize "oops no parrying is still everything." Also I don't think I would have figured out how to backstab without looking it up.

Heard good things about LHB, so I guess I'll look out for that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 March, 2016, 11:34:51 am
Its even bigger than before. In the other games you can ignore it entirely but lots of bosses in this almost require it (which is why I struggled with a few them majorly.) And backstabbing I think I did once. I found the charge was more useful for just doing huge damage since the charge up time was usually never enough for me to get the enemy before they turned around.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 11:46:54 am
Did you find yourself using the transformation attacks a lot? Or is that more super high level play?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 March, 2016, 11:51:28 am
I generally didn't. A buddy of mine swears by them but I never found myself using them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 09 March, 2016, 12:51:44 pm
Honestly, I don't think you need to use parrying so much. I used it to whatever extent, and I certainly got much better at timing for it when I played more of the game (at least for certain bosses and enemies), but I didn't rely on it. It can make some bosses easier, but if it's hard for you to pull off, then it's better to just learn how to time your dodges and do a counterattack. Bloodborne is a very fast and aggressive game, so it encourages that style of play anyways. I also think that's more fun to be honest.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 12:56:12 pm
M'kay. Well I'm ready for work to be over so I can get back to it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 06:58:38 pm
Let's try this again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 08:35:54 pm
Update.

The axe is so much better. It has drastically increased my enjoyment of dying a lot.

I got the lefthand shortcut open but haven't been using it because I keep wanting to go to the sewer instead because I keep dying down there for dumb reasons, and I didn't want to lose my echoes. But then I got caught in the werewolf mob and they lynched me, so I don't have to worry about that anymore. I had also wanted to get back to that Madman's Knowledge that I got on the other side, but maybe I'll find it down a different path.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 09 March, 2016, 08:50:36 pm
Those werewolves were seriously unforgiving.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 09 March, 2016, 08:53:28 pm
also don't forget about the standard "run past everything" strategy

it works wonders


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 08:58:33 pm
I meant the mob burning the werewolf, but yeah.

Found the otherside of the sewers. Went through some kind of rafters place. So now I have the knowledge, which I guess I can use now that I've died again? Seriously thought I had the timing for the troll's attacks, but apparently not so much.

Also talked to a girl and agreed to find her mother. She gave me a music box, and based on the description, I have a feeling it won't be a happy story.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 09:13:01 pm
Cheesed those werewolves on the bridge by luring them to a door they couldn't get through lol

I have a decent number of souls now so I'm just going back to the HD to level up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 09:29:10 pm
Leveled up myself and my weapons, so now I guess I'll go try to find that boss and give it a try. Nearing the end of my playtime tonight, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2016, 10:39:33 pm
The Cleric Beast is slaughtered. Did it in one go, but I'll confess to having watched a video that had me more than prepared. It was part of a general tips guide I was watching, but going forward, I won't be doing that until after I've attempted a boss. I'm at peace with it though because I think I needed the confidence boost.

After that, I went back in, killed that big executioner dude and got some kind of gem stone. I don't think I can use it yet because it doesn't give me any options at the workshop when I try.

Also Gehrman is gone now? I can't find him anymore.

Anyway. I went back to the rafters and fell down into more rats, but not before cutting down a sawspear. Followed the sewers all the way down figuring that they were probably what Gilbert meant by "aqueduct." Killed a big pig, got the saw badge so I can buy weapons now.

There's a pit behind where the pig was, and there's a message saying my faith will be rewarded if I take a step, but I dunno whether to trust it.

Went back and climbed up a ladder, activated another sweet shortcut. Then I crossed a small bridge. Some dudes tried to Indiana Jones me, but it backfired on them.

Beyond that was a staircase and a lot of foreboding messages, and I figured I should stop while I had 5400 souls in hand. I know the second boss to be rather infamous, so I'll wait and try that tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 12:02:51 am
he's a good one


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 March, 2016, 07:02:55 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3nR_4F1anI


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 08:04:00 am
that one got me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 09:00:31 am
Also noted the lack of a fog door before the Cleric Beast. Fog filled the arch after I walked through it, but I can imagine a scenario where I walk into the boss fight and am caught totally offguard. Just like if I had taken a few more steps, I probably would have walked into the next boss fight, too. So are fog doors not a thing in this game?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 March, 2016, 09:39:38 am
You won't see them until you fight the boss once, but for the most part the areas are less surprising than the Cleric Beast's initial "just pop out of nowhere" thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 10:00:38 am
Oh ok.

I figure the notes on the ground will probably tip me off anyway.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 09:39:44 pm
I killed Gascoigne on my third try. Got him to beast mode both times before that, but just got backed into a corner and overwhelmed. Think on my successful attempt I used the music box three times. Not sure if not using it is one of those indicators of manliness, but I don't really care. I also staggered him once with my gun (when I remembered that was a thing - funny how he makes you forget), but couldn't figure out how to do any visceral attacks on him. Didn't really matter in the end.

My hands are still shaking.




Also, there was nothing down that hole behind the pig.

Oh and I found a hunter lady who gave me some stuff and a gesture, but I almost ruined it because I put my controller down and accidentally shot in her direction. Luckily it didn't hit her.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 09:42:50 pm
Gascoigne is really intense. Usually those sorts of fights are the most intense.

also fu(http://)ck the manliness nonsense, use whatever means necessary to kill a boss. I think the music box only works once, but it's there for a reason.

Are you talking about the lady with the plague doctor mask?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 09:45:20 pm
The box definitely made him freak out and stagger three times including once in beast mode. I made sure I had the big tomb at least partially between me and him when I used it though, 'cause I don't see a way to use it without taking a hit otherwise.

I also found the mother's brooch, so I guess now I'll go back and give this little girl some bad news.

And yes, that lady.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 09:49:22 pm
Interesting, maybe they patched it then. When I used it in his beast mode, I tried to get behind him to get a backstab. That was the only time I ever really backstabbed a boss.

Eileen's quest is great. Be prepared for the most difficult Souls NPC fight if you continue her questline though. Bloody Crow of Cainhurst can be a jerk.

Gascoigne's daughter's quest is also neat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 09:52:01 pm
Is Eileen not also his daughter?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 09:56:49 pm
Eileen was the hunter lady who gave you the gesture


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 09:58:34 pm
Ohh. Well she won't say anything to me other than go hunt, though I guess now I should go back and talk to her that I've killed Gascoigne and see if she says anything different.

Also the daughter is only crying now and won't talk to me, so I guess I come back later?

And is there more I can do with Iosefka?

Freaking souls games and their poor indication of when to advance stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 10:03:13 pm
Just keep talking to the NPCs at different points in the game. However, some of them, like Eileen, may show up in different areas of the game. I agree, these games aren't very good at directing you to where you need to go for NPC sidequests. I generally just looked sh(http://)it up online.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 10:06:55 pm
Hard to do that without spoiling myself, but oh well.

I've mostly been leveling Strength, Vitality, and Stamina. At what point is it a good idea to start investing in other stats like bloodtinge? I guess as I find weapons that would require that?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 10:16:14 pm
Bloodtinge is good for guns I think. And the Chikage, which is a katana. I didn't invest any points into it at all, but you can make a bloodtinge build and mix it with some other stats. Arcane is...well kind of like Intelligence I guess. You get some special attacks later on that are like magic, but I feel like it takes a while to get the good stuff.

I dunno, I think I just did those three stats exclusively my first time lol. I didn't really understood what bloodtinge and arcane were all about at the time.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 March, 2016, 10:17:59 pm
also, some weapons scale with arcane. keep a lookout for them as they show up in the messenger bath and see what their scaling is


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 March, 2016, 10:54:52 pm
Well I went further past Gascoigne's place and met the person in Oedon Chapel, which let me know they provided a haven. Also found the blood gem tool. And a note about a spider. Yay.

Then I went back and talked to Iosefka and suddenly she also wants me to send people to her. So I went back to the cranky lady near the dog kennels and sent her to the chapel, and then I tried to go do the same with Gascoigne's daughter, but her window was dark. Gilbert meanwhile said not to worry about him and gave me the Flamesprayer, so that's cool.

Gonna stop there for the night.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 March, 2016, 07:41:07 am
Bloodtinge is def guns stat. I never really leveled it up. If I remember right a lot of the weapons are strength based at least to some degree so I focused primarily on that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 March, 2016, 07:50:59 am
Gotcha. I'm gonna put my next point into Arcane just so I can use the flamesprayer, even though I probably won't use the flamesprayer. But then I'll stick to the basics.

One of the bloodgems I got off the executioner guy scales my weapon to skill, so I'm probably not gonna use that. The other one I found buffs physical damage, but it's the wrong shape. Might try to farm that guy a bit tonight and see if he'll drop a better one for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 March, 2016, 09:36:17 pm
I almost died because I got sucked into some weird portal thing in this graveyard out to the right of Oedon Chapel. It like tossed me up into the air, I got "frenzy" and lost a lot of health, and then it transported me back to the ground.

Not really sure what's up with that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 March, 2016, 10:23:50 pm
the bloodborne experience!

Frenzy is a nightmare.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 March, 2016, 10:31:31 pm
Continued along that path, went down to a sort of park that kind of overlooks the great bridge. Killed some trolls and a bigger dude, got some items. Went back the opposite way after trapping another big dude behind a gate and then found a gate I can't open yet, presumably because I need the 10k soul seal from the fountain?

After that I went down and found a mausoleum type area. Killed everything around it, met Alfred who seems nice for now. He told me about the church and Byrgenwerth.

I unlocked a hidden path beneath the tomb in there, but turned around because it was dark and I had a lot of souls on hand. Stopping back at the HD for now to level up, and then I'll either go that way or head back down there or head up to the cathedral.

Edit: Cathedral gate is locked, too. Guess I'm going down.

Edit Edit: And that was just a werewolf. And beyond that, the Old Yharnam lantern. Guess I need to amass 10k blood echoes.

Edit^3: Scratch that, decided to look up this emblem thing and it's optional. But apparently I can go through that door to Old Yharnam, so away I go.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 March, 2016, 11:51:50 pm
I got wrecked by a dude with a minigun. I got up to his little perch on top of the clock tower, but that's where the wreckoning happened.

Also kept getting glimpses of another hunter walking through the area. Like every time I turned the corner I'd see him in the distance through the (hella annoying) smoke. Really set me on edge.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 12:23:38 am
Minigun guy is the worst. I'm done with him. He can die another time.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 01:28:59 am
Got past minigun dude (past him, not through him) and reached what I would think is the street level of Old Yharnam, but as soon as I found a shortcut back topside, I took it back to the lantern because I had 23k echoes and didn't want to risk losing them. I went ahead and bought the Hunter Chief Emblem just to have. Also picked up the Kirkhammer because why not. Can't use it yet, but I have it anyway.

Probably not going to play much longer tonight, but I'm gonna make another sweep of the Cathedral Ward, as it was suggested I do so by another friend.

Edit: I've got two paths up to the cathedral now, so I'm calling it a night. Not really sure how I would have gotten in there without buying the emblem, and I know it's an optional item, but oh well.

Still feeling decent about things overall, despite not encountering a real boss tonight.

I do find it odd that I haven't been invaded yet. I'm level 29 or 30 now. I only just found a summon sign for an NPC, too (Harriet?), so I guess there must be a boss up in that direction.

The trenchcoat dudes are super easy to parry. Though the giant ones, not so much.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 March, 2016, 01:45:46 pm
Lol I remember I rushed up the ladder and then ran towards Djura (minigun guy) and kept mashing R1 until he fell off the building and died.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 01:47:56 pm
:u

Resuming. Still undecided about which direction I should actually be going.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 02:12:40 pm
Found Eileen again and helped her kill Henryk. So now I've got a Caryll rune, but no way to use it at the moment.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 March, 2016, 02:51:00 pm
Dude FUCK the minigun guy, he was a source of great frustration for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Fuuka Yamagishi on 12 March, 2016, 02:57:50 pm
i'm on the boss of that area

need to get back to that game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 02:58:35 pm
This was another one of those things that I expected to be laughed at for struggling with but I guess not.

So I went up around the cathedral. Down to the right I killed two hunters, one with an electric mace and another with some kinda like spear shotgun thing. They were annoying, but I eventually killed them. Further down that way is a spooky looking church (every building looks like a church, dammit) with two executioners in the way. Off on the other side of the cathedral was some cave I didn't go in.

I guess now though I should stop ignoring the big door to the cathedral itself and see what boss is in there.


I should note that I really don't mind hints or directions if I'm definitely going the wrong way...


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 March, 2016, 03:12:12 pm
Keep doing what you're doing. I'd say you're exploring the game quite well at your own pace.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 March, 2016, 03:13:45 pm
But I will say this: don't save Old Yharnam for later. You're at a good level to explore it now, and there are certain...things to be found. Cool lore too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 03:22:37 pm
Well The Vicar Amelia is dead. Always surprised when I kill a boss on my first try, but I think I just had enough stamina to avoid her attacks, and I didn't let her self-healing get out of hand.

I'll go back down to Old Yharnam now if that's the case.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 March, 2016, 03:37:35 pm
Lol I'd say you're doing pretty damn well to be honest. How does it feel going from Dark/Demon's Souls to this?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 03:48:41 pm
It was definitely an adjustment, but I'm enjoying it a lot now. Helps that dodging in this game feels a lot better than the others.

I do think my experience with the other games helps a lot here, though. Just in terms of general feel for which way to dodge certain attacks. Like some of her attacks actually required inward dodging, similar to Smough.

If I "use" her Pendant to get the Blood Gem, will it prevent me from using it elsewhere? Like do I need it?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 04:41:28 pm
The Blood-starved Beast is also dead, with thanks to my buddy Alfred. It's nice that NPCs can heal themselves now.

And now I have a chalice to do chalice-y things with, I guess?

Suppose now I can go to Byrgenwerth, as that seems to be the next logical conclusion given that the Healing Church lead turned out to be a biiiiit of a bust.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 05:52:26 pm
So I was exploring the area below the church workshop, and I got killed by a dude carrying a sack.... and then I woke up in jail.

I'm in the Unseen Village now, I guess, and I'm not really sure where that is in relation to.... anything else. I think I might be somewhere behind the grand cathedral. I found a lantern and made it out to the street, so like I'm ok, but still. Just gonna keep exploring.

Edit: Found the Tonitrus, so that's neat, I suppose. The street out in front of that prison place dead ends in both directions, which means the only way forward was through the hole in back wall of the basement. I didn't really want to go that way, so I'm back at the HD to recoup and decide what happens next.

Also.... in this prison, and also in the Grand Cathedral, there have been some statues of things that are.... not exactly human, from what I can see. They almost look like the bloatheads from Oolacile, actually. I'm sure they have no significant impact on what goes on around here, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 March, 2016, 09:31:13 pm
oh man I sure am loving this


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 09:44:24 pm
i'm sure you are

but seriously, can I break the pendant and still touch the skull? I'm assuming yes since it would probably break the game otherwise


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 March, 2016, 09:49:08 pm
Go for it. It gives you a blood gem I think. You don't need it to progress through the story.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2016, 10:11:40 pm
Cool. Well I'm actually gonna take a break from that to play some of Ground Zeroes, but I'll pick up where I left off tomorrow.


Also, thinking back to earlier, when I summoned Alfred for the Blood-Starved Beast, there was a message saying some woman had appeared and had rung a sinister bell. So what does that mean? That's like the sign of an invasion I thought, but I guess since I went straight into the boss fight, nothing really happened.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 March, 2016, 01:04:46 am
It means that this enemy is trying to summon an invader. She shows up when you ring a beckoning or summoning bell. If you find her and kill her, then you won't have to worry about an invader coming in.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 01:18:59 am
Huh. Weird. Kind of an odd twist to the idea of summoning.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 March, 2016, 03:37:05 am
Yeah, I've only really been invaded a few times. PvP in Bloodborne is weird. It's fun, but there are a lot of annoying things, like having to consume 1 insight every time you summon a player or NPC.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 01:02:39 pm
Right? And if you only get Insight from Madman's Knowledge, finding a boss, and killing a boss, wouldn't that mean there's a limited number of times you can summon on a given playthrough?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 March, 2016, 01:07:34 pm
It's not really a problem. I had a ton of insight actually by the end of my playthrough. But I also didn't summon much.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 01:42:26 pm
I suppose you would have to be hopelessly bad to run the risk of running out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 02:42:07 pm
Currently cutting my way through Hemwick Charnal Lane. Not having a tough time of it, but I turned around once I got to some stairs leading down into a basement. I have about 30k echoes, so I don't really want to risk putting them too far beyond reach. No idea what's at the end of this, but I read that the tool I need to use runes is somewhere in this area, so I'm kinda after that. I'm also just trying to explore as much as I can before advancing to night time, as that just seems like a decent idea.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 02:50:56 pm
A couple of the lanterns I've lit now don't show up when I try to warp to them from the headstone. The one for Hemwick, the Abandoned Workshop, and the Unseen Village aren't listed. Kind of annoying.

Edit: Yeah, my desire to explore that area is seriously impeded by the fact that lantern doesn't work. Shortcuts don't do a lot of good when I have to trek back from the cathedral.

Re-edit: Ok, so the headstones next to the main one actually list those missing lanterns. Frustration fixed.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 04:12:28 pm
I put down the Witches of Hemwick. Kind of an odd fight. Reminded me of the Fool's Idol, actually.

And now I have the rune tool, so yeah. I guess the last thing I'll try to do is fight whatever is behind the gaol, and then we'll let the sun set finally.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 March, 2016, 05:09:16 pm
Darkbeast Paarl has a really cool design. He wasn't terribly difficult, but I still enjoyed that fight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 March, 2016, 05:17:44 pm
Darkbeast Paarl has a really cool design. He wasn't terribly difficult, but I still enjoyed that fight.

Agreed, he's great.

i am also loving all of this


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 05:19:29 pm
He was pretty neat. Love me some lightning effects. Defector whatshisface helped me there, though he unfortunately died during the fight.

So me and Djura are pals now, though I'm not sure what happens if I kill things in Old Yharnam now that I've said I would spare them. He strikes me as highly sane, compared to everyone else I've met. "They're not beasts. They're people."

But with that done, I can't see anything else to do, so I've let the moon come up, and I'm now entering the Forbidden Woods. I'll probably stop soon for dinner, and possibly for the night.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 05:30:07 pm
well that sure was a swinging log trap


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 March, 2016, 05:34:27 pm
probably my favorite post so far


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 05:46:17 pm
I guess I have access to the DLC now. Messengers showed up with the key item when I went back to the HD from the Forbidden Woods. I guess just let me know when it's a good idea to go do that?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 March, 2016, 06:09:29 pm
Save it for endgame. Definitely not a good idea to use it now. That DLC is hard sh(http://)it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 06:23:23 pm
Figures as much.

The Forbidden Woods are neat. I stopped once I unlocked a shortcut elevator back to the lantern. Valtr was there, but for now I'm not gonna join The League. Fantasy football seems out of place in Yharnam, but I guess it's a nice place on nights other than this one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 March, 2016, 06:34:45 pm
*bad comedy drums*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 March, 2016, 07:55:47 pm
I guess I should note that I played through the main mission from Ground Zeroes last night. On my mind a lot of the time was the fact that Konami sold that disc for $30.

Coming from Peace Walker, it was quite a bit harder, even on normal mode. There's just a lot more going on, it's a lot harder to tranq dudes from across the map, it's easier to be seen, and so on. None of this is unexpected, but I can't say everything went smoothly. Definitely died once, and I'm really unsure of the best way to get Paz out of the basement, but what I did doesn't seem like it was the ideal route. Like in Peace Walker, the thing that always screws me most in the missions ratings is time, as I'm really slow moving.

I still like the experience, though. It's very cool, and it controls well. I'm for sure gonna do all the extra ops included on the disc just to keep getting a better feel for how it works. It makes for a nice break from Bloodborne every few days, anyhow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 March, 2016, 09:05:52 pm
It's good prep for Phantom Pain, I'd say.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2016, 12:51:35 pm
Sitting here at work thinking about how I'd rather be playing Bloodborne, and it occurs to me that I made a topic that's gotten like 120 replies in the space of a week. Wacky stuff, man.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 March, 2016, 07:04:43 pm
I guess that's what happens when you have a group of Souls fans watching you play one of the games.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2016, 07:43:38 pm
I guess I could technically stream this, but I don't think I'm the kind of person who is very fun to watch, given how often I stop and pause while playing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2016, 08:16:22 pm
Seems I'm actually able to do Chalice dungeons now. Are those worth doing, or are they more for co-op stuff?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 March, 2016, 08:32:28 pm
I did some of them and they're pretty lame. Its a shame that apparently some cool bosses hide behind them but I just didn't have the will to power through them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2016, 09:36:17 pm
Ok.

This level was kinda starting to get to me. Just never seems to end. The snake monsters are pretty cool, but there's one behind every tree. At least the big ones are way easier than they look like they should be. And then there's like aliens or something? I dunno man. I finally found another elevator back up, though, and then soon after that I got an overlook of what is clearly a boss area (can see the fog door on the other side). I've got like 65k echoes and some new runes, so I'm gonna level up and then see what's down there. Probably call it a night shortly after that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2016, 09:50:52 pm
three guys in black robes backed me into a corner and had their way with me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2016, 10:03:30 pm
Well this might be tough. My third attempt was the best, but it still ended in me burning, and I'm already wearing my must fire resistant outfit. They seem pretty easy to parry, so I'll try to exploit that. Trying to get an earlier night, though, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 14 March, 2016, 11:13:36 pm
I guess I could technically stream this, but I don't think I'm the kind of person who is very fun to watch, given how often I stop and pause while playing.

i would totally watch even that if it had you, floyd and UF yammering over the stream


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 15 March, 2016, 01:26:30 am
I guess I could technically stream this, but I don't think I'm the kind of person who is very fun to watch, given how often I stop and pause while playing.

i would totally watch even that if it had you, floyd and UF yammering over the stream
Lol we could actually do that I think too

Also, I didn't like the chalice dungeons much either, but I think you should check them out regardless. You might end up liking them, and they have some of the most useful blood gems in the game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 09:31:52 am
I guess I could technically stream this, but I don't think I'm the kind of person who is very fun to watch, given how often I stop and pause while playing.

i would totally watch even that if it had you, floyd and UF yammering over the stream
Well maybe when the three of us do our co-op run, we'll get a multitwitch going or something. Might be better to watch once we all know what we're doing anyway.


Also, I didn't like the chalice dungeons much either, but I think you should check them out regardless. You might end up liking them, and they have some of the most useful blood gems in the game.
Yeah, I figured I'd at least try one. Just a matter of remembering to do it at some point.


Something else I was thinking about last night: it's interesting how this game just throws upgrade materials at you. Like I got to the point where those werewolves in Old Yharnam were dropping bloodstone shards regularly, and then as I needed the next tier, I was getting all the twin bloodstone shards I needed in the woods. Certainly no more Farm Souls, and personally I think that's great.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 10:20:54 am
did the ps4 come with a mic for streaming because if it didn't I don't have one but I would silently embarrass myself for sure regardless


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 10:24:42 am
I think the little mono-headphone thing works. I've never tried it, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 10:27:21 am
well shit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 10:28:39 am
i could do a wheel playthrough by using you both to help me smash the boss guarding the needed item for it early hmmmmm


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 10:44:46 am
Can't you just get that by killing Alfred?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 10:46:45 am
Probably? I didn't interact with a lot of the NPCs my first playthrough but we could do that too if it works.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 11:00:20 am
Yeah I guess we'll see.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 15 March, 2016, 12:14:29 pm
I'm pretty sure you could, and you should because Alfred is a loser.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 12:29:19 pm
i heard he's super tough though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 01:10:17 pm
https://youtu.be/cA_AI0gPnhM?t=334

not if you stunlock him, apparently


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 08:37:14 pm
Well, I ended up summoning another player to beat the shadows. I read up on stuff, watched a few videos, but I couldn't ever even come close to killing one of them by myself. With it on the verge of becoming "that one boss" for me, I decided to see if I could beckon someone forward, and they answered. Definitely trivializes the fight, and at some point I might see if I can beat it solo. That kind of thing has never been super important to me, though. The multiplayer in these games is one of the coolest parts, and bosses like this seem made for it.

Onward.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 08:49:37 pm
https://youtu.be/cA_AI0gPnhM?t=334

not if you stunlock him, apparently

i am in no way good enough at bloodborne to pull that off

Well, I ended up summoning another player to beat the shadows. I read up on stuff, watched a few videos, but I couldn't ever even come close to killing one of them by myself. With it on the verge of becoming "that one boss" for me, I decided to see if I could beckon someone forward, and they answered. Definitely trivializes the fight, and at some point I might see if I can beat it solo. That kind of thing has never been super important to me, though. The multiplayer in these games is one of the coolest parts, and bosses like this seem made for it.

Onward.

I managed to beat them solo and I really dug the fight, if only for the design. I agree though, I feel like there's a stigma against fighting everything solo with these games sometimes and I kind of hate that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 08:54:02 pm
It's a very cool fight, and that's why I kinda regret summoning for it. It's no maneater or gargoyle where it's like the same dude copy-pasted two or more times. The fact that they were all different really sets it apart and above those fights.

i'm just a scrub


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2016, 09:02:27 pm
you and me both

i do love me some maneaters though will say that


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 10:32:29 pm
Fighting the spider currently. This seems like a really simple fight that only takes one slip-up to lose.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 10:36:42 pm
Like I don't even know what's killing me in the second phase.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2016, 11:08:47 pm
Ok, well I beat the spider, but I'm not sure if I should have. Didn't even occur to me that this would cause another transition. So now it's the blood moon and I dunno if I've missed anything that I could have done during the night in places I didn't go explore.

also dudes are respawning from their blood puddles now and I can see the great ones

no big deal


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 16 March, 2016, 12:36:33 am
Have you talked to any NPCs in the houses near Vicar Amelia?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 March, 2016, 05:24:49 am
My favorite part about Rom and crew are their dumb faces and when the spiders jump up and land on their dumb faces like dorks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2016, 08:13:18 am
Have you talked to any NPCs in the houses near Vicar Amelia?
Yeah, I've got like four people in the chapel last I checked. The prostitute, the nun, the jerk who thinks I'm a liar, and the old lady.

My favorite part about Rom and crew are their dumb faces and when the spiders jump up and land on their dumb faces like dorks.
Lol yeah. Once I realized the spiders don't respawn, I just ran around in circles dodging ice and baiting them out until I could run in and get hits on her.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 16 March, 2016, 06:45:32 pm
You totally should've sent them to Iosefka's clinic lololol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2016, 07:21:00 pm
lol no

I spoiled that for myself pretty fast looking up something totally unrelated

So yeah I went in and murdered that bitch (I let the sad blue one live).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2016, 07:55:49 pm
I'm at Cainhurst Castle and I already just want to leave because fuck whatever these things are


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 16 March, 2016, 08:57:45 pm
Love cainhurst


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2016, 09:24:32 pm
I'm at the boss and I'm not really sure I want to bother fighting him right now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2016, 09:43:45 pm
yeah he's a real old bastard isn't he


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2016, 10:33:15 pm
I think I can take him down, but it's gonna require more patience and time than I had tonight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 17 March, 2016, 12:32:34 am
Yeah, Logarius is hard. I had to come back to him a later time. Must've been around level 60ish when I beat him.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 March, 2016, 05:28:08 am
A reoccurring thing in my playthrough was to fight Logarius after any major event  (boss, significant leveling, etc.) and get destroyed by him.

Cainhurst is amazing though. Definitely the coolest place in the game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 08:14:46 am
I'm something like Level 57 at the moment? Probably one or two higher. If I can beat him now, I could salvage the 30k echoes I had when I walked into that fight, though that shouldn't be much of a motivator really. Doesn't seem to take any time at all to be swimming in echoes.

Cainhurst is cool though, except for the fleas. They can go straight to hell.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 March, 2016, 09:08:18 am
If I remember right I just ran right past them. That was a powerful tactic for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 09:12:32 am
I mean I haven't fought them since activating the shortcut. And I don't bother clearing the room full of ghosts before Logarius either, even though that butler guy keeps hitting me with that weird curse thing that barely hurts.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 March, 2016, 09:18:27 am
Same. The path to him isn't too bad thankfully.

Despite him ending my life so many times I love that guy. Great boss.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 11:05:01 am
He reminds me of Gandalf. And I am the balrog, not passing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 17 March, 2016, 11:17:46 am
It might help to not lock on during the second phase of his fight. I think that's generally what I do.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 05:43:40 pm
fucking Destiny is updating with new stuff on the same day as DSIII god dammit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 March, 2016, 07:41:36 pm
make the right choice random


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 07:42:10 pm
the right choice is both, but now I have to try and balance which will be difficult


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 17 March, 2016, 09:09:31 pm
what's your #1 favorite Soulsborne boss so far?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 09:45:33 pm
what's your #1 favorite Soulsborne boss so far?
Probably Kalameet or Artorias. Both of those had similar arcs where I kept trying and kept trying and kept getting wrecked, and then something flipped and I was able to beat them. I think Kalameet has an edge because the turnaround was a lot quicker with him. Indescribable feeling, really, just that moment you know you've got them.

I'll give an honorable mention to False King Alant, too. Really intense fight, really rewarding. He's just got the runback that's kind of a blight on his encounter.



I got Logarius to half health a couple of times, but at Lv. 63 I'm probably a bit outmatched. I was able to rescue my souls at least by using a Bold Hunter's Mark (Nice to know you can use those mid boss fight, in situations like this). I need to do a better job adapting to the pace of the second half of the fight, and I really killed myself a few times trying to get around him to stop that sword storm attack. Should have just ate the damage and focused on him.

I'll be back for him.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 09:59:40 pm
so meanwhile

the bloody crow of cainhurst is even harder

How long, in terms of things happening in the game, do I have to beat this guy?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 10:17:24 pm
Nevermind, the stairs are lethal to him.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2016, 11:05:30 pm
I really want to like this area because of the great ones and all, but the respawning enemies are a huge pain in the ass. Really glad to have made it to a lantern.

Also I know it's not how these games work, but just once I wish there was an armor set that both looked cool and was objectively better than the set I've been wearing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 18 March, 2016, 12:34:33 am
That place is really hard and felt like a major difficulty spike in the game. The best option is to just frantically run past everything until you see the path for where you need to go, but I guess you already got to the lantern.

Also, I just go with fashionborne/souls and neglect the armor's stats. Cainhurst set is the best looking armor in the game in my opinion. What are you wearing right now?

And yeah, Bloody Crow is a dick, but not too hard to cheese.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 March, 2016, 09:12:01 am
Well I made it to the upper chapel lantern. Outside there's a place with dogs, an Alan Brickman, and a guy with a rifle (and god damn those really hurt now). There might be a pitchfork guy, too. Running past seems like a decent strategy.

I just put the Crowhunter set on after wearing the box art set for most of the game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 18 March, 2016, 10:25:24 am
I really want to like this area because of the great ones and all, but the respawning enemies are a huge pain in the ass. Really glad to have made it to a lantern.

i fucking hated that place

Also, I just go with fashionborne/souls and neglect the armor's stats. Cainhurst set is the best looking armor in the game in my opinion. What are you wearing right now?

Also that. The benefits usually seem almost negligible at this point. My buddy even flat out told me all the armor in Bloodborne is basically indistinguishable so just pick what you like when I first started.

Alan Brickman

FUCKING


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 March, 2016, 11:25:58 am
i won't take credit for this but it's what i know them as now



And yeah I'm kinda feeling the same way. Like Paarl seemed an exception because Henryk's set had much higher bolt resistance than other things, but I'm heavily uncertain about if 10 points of extra Arcane defense would really save my life against Logarius. Much better to not get hit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 March, 2016, 10:47:04 pm
the nito dumpsters hit really hard


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 March, 2016, 01:03:54 am
The One Reborn is slaughtered. No doubt Miyazaki's attempt at his most grotesque monster yet. Can't think of anything off the top of my head that tops it.

After that ordeal, I was level 70, so I decided to go back and pay Logarius a visit.

I got him to within an inch of his life on my third attempt, but I got greedy. In the ensuing combo, he not only depleted my health, but his last hit threw me from the roof. Humiliating.

I was worried about running out of blood vials because I'd checked storage and knew I didn't have many, so I only had a few more attempts in me. On my fifth try of the night, my hands were shaking enough that I kept missing the visceral attacks after staggering him, though it's a good opportunity to hit him anyway (I had decided to use my axe for more damage, even if it was slower).

And then I got him to within an inch of his life again, and he started swinging wildly.

So I backstepped twice and fired my pistol at him three times, and that was it.



The queen has some nice digs. I have no love for the church, either, but I don't think I have a need for her covenant. I'll be sure to stop by and collect her flesh just in case, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 March, 2016, 02:00:03 am
Guess I'm going back to school.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 19 March, 2016, 09:36:31 am
back to college baby bergenwerth class of 15


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 March, 2016, 11:55:41 pm
I did a chalice dungeon. It was neat I guess. Was way overleveled, so it just kinda flew by. I don't feel like it had nearly the personality of the main levels, but I could see them being fun to dick around in with friends maybe.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 19 March, 2016, 11:59:55 pm
lol yeah I was seriously overleveled when I did the chalice dungeons on NG+. The difficulty doesn't increase when you go into a NG+ apparently.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 12:37:13 am
ok well I feel like it's a little bit late at night for me to be wandering much further into the nightmare of mensis, especially when annoyingly-low-to-the-ground-worms pop out of enemies and blood spikes start popping out of me for reasons beyond my control


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 02:27:53 am
hey just wait until you meet the winter lanterns

what a great enemy


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 03:09:37 am
i get the feeling they aren't that great


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 03:05:04 pm
I went back into the lecture hall and took that ladder downstairs, which has led to the amusing situation wherein I confronted Patches and got him to apologize prior to going outside and getting tricked by him. And by amusing what I mean is he shouldn't have then pushed me off the cliff after I'd already found him. :u

I'm overleveled for the nightmare frontier, I think, but it's still an annoying area. I'm wondering if this is supposed to be the blighttown of this game, not because it tanks the framerate, but just because of the whole "everything is poison" vibe. The swamp caves are a nightmare to navigate. I lost a bunch of echoes down there because I was poisoned and frenzied, and I'll be damned if I could actually get back there to find them.

I found a shortcut back to the beginning of the area though, so I guess there must be some kind of something close by.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 03:31:11 pm
gotta say, ripping your arms off and using them as weapons is pretty metal

I would have beaten amygdala first try if I hadn't gotten vomited on. Found out on my second attempt that the extended axe is really good against it.

Guess that was an optional area, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 04:21:15 pm
hate spiders


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 04:55:22 pm
oh hey, bird dogs and dog birds

neat


somewhat perturbed by the fact that I've run out of stored blood vials

need to figure out how to farm a bunch of those since stuff doesn't actually seem to drop those as much anymore


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 05:31:46 pm
Micolash was a pretty novel fight just for being a bit different, though I think it would have annoyed me if I'd died more than once. They also should have thought about having some dude talk about stuff while you're trying to grab items in a hurry.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 20 March, 2016, 05:39:48 pm
get up on the hydra's back


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 06:12:10 pm
i have yet to encounter a hydra


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 March, 2016, 06:22:52 pm
Micolash was a pretty novel fight just for being a bit different, though I think it would have annoyed me if I'd died more than once. They also should have thought about having some dude talk about stuff while you're trying to grab items in a hurry.

Love the music, quotes and character, hate the fight.

OR SOME SAY KOSM

There's a great place in the DLC area to farm blood vials at the very least.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 07:35:50 pm
I'll make note of that. Think I have like 7 total at the moment.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 08:15:21 pm
Honestly, next time you beat a boss then I think you could just buy a buttload of blood vials with the echoes you receive. It's worth the investment, since leveling up will only really help you so much after a certain point.

Also, you should be good for the DLC at this point.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 08:58:54 pm
I looked up my new least favorite enemy to figure out what it's called, and sure enough, it is the winter lantern

like

just fuck

apparently there's a blood rock at the end of this path, but I will happily come back to get it later
Honestly, next time you beat a boss then I think you could just buy a buttload of blood vials with the echoes you receive. It's worth the investment, since leveling up will only really help you so much after a certain point.

Also, you should be good for the DLC at this point.
that's a fair point

I'm actually kinda liking this area for the fact that I can one-shot shadows of yharnam with a visceral attack, and they drop about 4000 echoes each


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 09:13:06 pm
There is a really, really good farming spot for echoes right before the next boss. You can get the giant pigs and the shadows of yharnam to fight each other and get a bunch of echoes for each run. I don't remember how much, probably between 10-20k.

And yeah fu(http://)ck the winter lanterns.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 09:23:09 pm
at least I dropped their mom down the well


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 09:30:23 pm
now get the blood rock that's down there


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 09:47:06 pm
the workshop is burning

now get the blood rock that's down there
i said I'll get it later

I tried getting past those lanterns like five times and I used all my sedatives


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 March, 2016, 09:49:28 pm
you're so close to the best moment in the game i'm thoroughly excited


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:01:00 pm
well I had something to do underneath Oedon Chapel, and then I dashed outside to let my buddy on the roof grab me

So now I'm at the Hunter's Nightmare, but if I need to do stuff back in the HD, can I still go do that without triggering the end of the game? Like what do I need to not do back there to avoid ending stuff?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 March, 2016, 10:02:40 pm
You can go back to the Nightmare. There's a specific area there you go to that triggers the final encounter of the game but its not something you're likely to stumble on if you're just going to the Doll/bath guys/benches.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:09:40 pm
Is it that gate around the side that's been locked all this time?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 10:11:45 pm
Yeah, as long as you don't go past that gate, you'll be fine. I'd recommend doing the DLC now. Or go kill Logarius.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:19:30 pm
dude I killed Logarius like three days ago, where have you been

but I've just realized I missed an entire area, so I'm actually going to do that, and then go do the DLC


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 10:22:50 pm
oh lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:23:50 pm
The One Reborn is slaughtered. No doubt Miyazaki's attempt at his most grotesque monster yet. Can't think of anything off the top of my head that tops it.

After that ordeal, I was level 70, so I decided to go back and pay Logarius a visit.

I got him to within an inch of his life on my third attempt, but I got greedy. In the ensuing combo, he not only depleted my health, but his last hit threw me from the roof. Humiliating.

I was worried about running out of blood vials because I'd checked storage and knew I didn't have many, so I only had a few more attempts in me. On my fifth try of the night, my hands were shaking enough that I kept missing the visceral attacks after staggering him, though it's a good opportunity to hit him anyway (I had decided to use my axe for more damage, even if it was slower).

And then I got him to within an inch of his life again, and he started swinging wildly.

So I backstepped twice and fired my pistol at him three times, and that was it.



The queen has some nice digs. I have no love for the church, either, but I don't think I have a need for her covenant. I'll be sure to stop by and collect her flesh just in case, though.

recap of my glorious victory that you must have missed


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 10:24:16 pm
So I backstepped twice and fired my pistol at him three times, and that was it.
yeah, guess I missed this

What area did you forget?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:25:58 pm
The Upper Cathedral Ward. But only because I never got the key when I was running through Yahar'gul.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 10:26:39 pm
Oh sh(http://)it, I love that place too. Yeah go fight Ebrietas.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:27:49 pm
I turned the game back on to get the key and go there so I wouldn't forget. So yeah.

Also I guess I can eat these umbilical cords any time now before I go talk to Gehrman?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 10:29:28 pm
Yeah. Do you have three of them?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 10:38:25 pm
I do.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 March, 2016, 10:55:08 pm
eat that sh(http://)it up


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2016, 11:43:27 pm
so that's what brought down yharnam

scientology


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 21 March, 2016, 10:34:36 am
fu(http://)ck the church


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 21 March, 2016, 10:49:45 am
evil fictional churches are my jam


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2016, 10:50:50 am
youef vs floyd, vileblood vs executioner, gogogo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 21 March, 2016, 12:28:46 pm
match of the century


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 21 March, 2016, 03:19:15 pm
a respectable foe


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 21 March, 2016, 03:22:16 pm
(https://49.media.tumblr.com/8bb89f8bbd5a359d9ce09c828bdaaca0/tumblr_n7vxof1XYI1r19f55o1_500.gif)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2016, 04:29:48 pm
no no you hate each other

let me feel the hate

floyd, don the gold ardeo and let your wheel grind his brains to a pulp

youef, defend your queen and eviscerate that pompous cleric

fight damn you fight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 21 March, 2016, 04:54:43 pm
your poison tongue will not bewitch the sanctity of our duel


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2016, 05:18:14 pm
harumph


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2016, 07:30:07 pm
raging at brainsuckers


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 21 March, 2016, 08:01:31 pm
hey floyd i'm cool with calling a temporary truce to fight random

dude probably likes gwyndolin

And yeah, I hated the brainsuckers. I lost a ton of insight to them because I suck. But hey, turns out the torch is pretty good at stunlocking them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2016, 08:09:08 pm
I just pulled out Ludwig's and started spamming R2 at them.


also lol i died at the same time I killed Ebrietas. Think it still counts though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2016, 09:38:31 pm
Ugh, some of these hunters are bastards. This is also the first time I've found myself running low on QS bullets and having to use the emergency thingy.

I dunno if I could have killed the demon dude that comes out of the church, but it sure didn't seem like it, so I ran to the right and was making my way through the area with the blood river. Glad the fleas are occupied with that. I opened the shortcut back to the lantern and talked to the guy in that hallway, and then went back out the other way and got caught on a gravestone in front of a scythe hunter.

Will pick back up tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 21 March, 2016, 10:53:19 pm
Don't forget to go in the cave on the other side of the blood river with the giant fleas (they aren't as bad as the Cainhurst ones if you just run past them). I'd say it's actually pretty vital you go there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 08:38:13 am
Which cave? I went into one that's like near a bridge with a mob on top of it. Up that way is where the scythe dude caught me. Is there one back at the start of the blood river?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 March, 2016, 08:44:22 am
The spot with the Brainsuckers and packs of werewolves gave me more aneurysms than I am okay with admitting.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 09:32:34 am
That building was more difficult to get through than the two bosses that followed it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 22 March, 2016, 10:06:26 am
When you exit the house (the one with the trap), turn right instead of left at the blood river and run past all the fleas. It's in the opposite direction of the bridge that leads to Simon and the shortcut to the first lamp. The cave is all the way at the end.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 10:09:27 am
Ok, I'll check it out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 March, 2016, 11:49:12 am
That building was more difficult to get through than the two bosses that followed it.

Agreed, although apparently Ebrietas gave lots of people a hard time. I wasn't among them, the DLC bosses were my true foes.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 22 March, 2016, 12:16:22 pm
Maaaaaariiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaa


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 12:51:58 pm
That building was more difficult to get through than the two bosses that followed it.

Agreed, although apparently Ebrietas gave lots of people a hard time. I wasn't among them, the DLC bosses were my true foes.
I summoned Damian of Mensis, and she kept flopping on him instead of focusing on me. But again, I did die at the same time I killed her, so it's not like I got out of there unscathed.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 22 March, 2016, 01:44:46 pm
scrub


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 22 March, 2016, 05:12:08 pm
so what's on your list of games to play


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 05:28:51 pm
MGSV
DSIII
Destiny update (intermittently)
Uncharted 4
The Witcher series
XCOM 2 (with DLC)
maybe No Man's Sky



That's kinda my rough and mostly unrealistic timeline for the next few months.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 22 March, 2016, 05:55:01 pm
solid list

put rdr and bioshock infinite and silent hill on it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 06:01:54 pm
but I've already played infinite


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 March, 2016, 06:14:44 pm
we weren't sure so we just wanted to cover out bases in the "make random play games we like" club


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 22 March, 2016, 06:16:55 pm
yeah so go play the other ones


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 06:17:05 pm
it's a conspiracy then


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 March, 2016, 06:26:09 pm
no no

its a club


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 07:58:03 pm
hey youef there's a guy with a minigun in that cave


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 08:05:52 pm
hey youef there's a fucking blood-starved beast in there too


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 March, 2016, 08:11:23 pm
lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 08:11:52 pm
not going in there a third time unless there's something super important

i got the gun so whatever


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 08:50:06 pm
wow this fight, ok


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 March, 2016, 08:52:52 pm
an unsightly beast


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 09:00:45 pm
he sure was a great big horse guy


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2016, 09:45:35 pm
Made it to the research hall. Gonna stop there for the night.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 March, 2016, 12:28:53 am
lol yeah random i just wanted that cave to fu(http://)ck you up


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 March, 2016, 07:42:52 am
he sure was a great big horse guy

Second best boss in the series behind Kalameet.

lol yeah random i just wanted that cave to fu(http://)ck you up

he deserves it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2016, 08:11:46 am
:u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2016, 09:43:02 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALbVEmzY5S4

this is honestly just killer


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 March, 2016, 10:07:38 am
The OST is one of the best parts of the game on honestly might be the best of the four.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 March, 2016, 11:09:48 am
Yeah, that song is probably my favorite in the entire series. The transition to Ludwig's second phase is just straight up incredible. Lady Maria and Ebrietas have really great themes. Even though she didn't do Ludwig, Yuka Kitamura did a ton of Bloodborne songs and apparently she's doing the majority of Dark Souls 3, so I'm really excited to hear her music in that game. What I've heard is already fantastic.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 March, 2016, 11:49:12 am
ALSO: I have a character that's on regular NG and is currently in the DLC area, so it might be around your level random. If you ever need help, I'm just a beckoning bell away.

or maybe i'll just invade you


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2016, 11:51:04 am
We'll see about that :u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2016, 07:36:39 pm
what is it about fromsoft dlc and terrible terrible bloathead enemies?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 March, 2016, 08:08:07 pm
plip plop plip plip

lady maria

i'm a robin

will i ever curl up and become an egg


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2016, 08:18:22 pm
I went back and got the blood rock.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2016, 09:04:11 pm
This place is pretty confusing, and the mobs are truly awful to fight even two on one. I got an elevator going between the first floor and another floor above it. Kind of hard to say for sure which one. But yeah, I'm stopping there for the night. Trying to sleep a bit earlier.

I also picked up MGSV while I was out getting dinner, so yeah. Ready for that whenever I finish this, which I'm hoping will be this weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 March, 2016, 09:17:37 pm
WHAT SAY YOU LADY RONALDHAM


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2016, 09:18:41 pm
Killed the Living Failures.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2016, 10:06:30 pm
I've gotten Maria close a few times. I'll beat her. This fight excites me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2016, 10:22:42 pm
oh ooops

i'm completely out of qs bullets

this might be a good stopping point


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 March, 2016, 05:19:31 am
she destroyed me so much that i almost lost faith in my ability to beat the game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 08:15:11 am
How did you end up beating her?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 March, 2016, 09:40:58 am
Just kinda weathered the storm. The Holy Blade stun locks her decently if you can get her caught, so it was mostly perfecting the first stage, then doing my best to bait the big attacks that leave her open in the second and third stages.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 06:57:40 pm
She's starting to wear me down. It's one of those bosses where I'm kind of in panic mode all the time. Like I just get into a point where I'm button mashing. I forget to heal sometimes, and I find the stagger in her second phase to be pretty obnoxious at times.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 07:14:10 pm
oh my god I beat her

I ate her entire second phase by backing her into a corner and stunlocking her, and then I just barely held on with a desperation heal and regain stunlocking her to death

fuuuuuuck yes


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 08:31:43 pm
There's never been an area in this game where the mobs killed me as much as this giant with the anchor

he makes no god damn sense


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 08:42:19 pm
Didn't kill him, but I made it to the lantern

so I don't care anymore


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 25 March, 2016, 09:20:50 pm
Those giants are probably the most ridiculous enemy I've had to fight in a Souls game. i mean fu(http://)ck


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 25 March, 2016, 09:22:37 pm
I remember when I killed the first one, I literally had one HP left and no blood vials upon checking my health in the menu, so I just went to the lantern to restart because I didn't want to lose my echoes. Then I had to do that all over again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 09:23:17 pm
And apparently two of them guard the Rakuyo? god damn

taking a break right now for what it's worth


I remember when I killed the first one, I literally had one HP left and no blood vials upon checking my health in the menu, so I just went to the lantern to restart because I didn't want to lose my echoes. Then I had to do that all over again.
fuuck


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 25 March, 2016, 10:07:20 pm
That well is the only place where I used a Shaman Bone Blade. It actually ended up very useful against them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 10:12:43 pm
Might have to try that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 March, 2016, 10:15:27 pm
Glad to see I'm not the only one who had a fuckton of trouble with her.

The giants are merciless; they're number too behind the Frigid Outskirts deer/horse monsters for me in terms of craziest Souls enemy.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 10:58:33 pm
It was the good kind of trouble, though, y'know? It was a struggle I enjoyed. But I guess I don't know how close I was to breaking. I'm relieved to have beaten her.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2016, 11:54:48 pm
didn't know the shaman bone blade had warmup lag of roughly two years


no weapon is worth this


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 25 March, 2016, 11:56:14 pm
What is your build? Are you still doing Strength?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 12:01:37 am
Yeah. But I've been leveling my skill since I hit the soft cap. It's not something I need, just something I wanted, perhaps for an NG+ run later or something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 March, 2016, 12:24:02 am
Then it isn't worth it. I only had the shaman bone blade work because I was in someone else's game and they distracted the giants for me. Even with a Skill build on my second playthrough, I probably won't bother with that clusterfu(http://)ck.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 02:37:22 am
I can't say I feel very attached to the orphan. He does not fill me with the sense of determination I had facing Maria. Mostly I just want him dead.

Yet my attempts to summon people have ended in two failures and a lot of standing around. Gonna try again tomorrow when there might be more traffic.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 02:44:06 am
Just for reference, did you guys kill Laurence?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 March, 2016, 03:08:38 am
Yeah. I thought he wasn't too bad, but almost everyone else despises him. It might be worth just summoning for that fight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2016, 09:47:27 am
Love the Orphan fight. I did not feel the same way about Maria though lol.

I beat Laurence but he was bar none the hardest and most frustrating fight for me. I'm not sure if that's the standard or not but oh my god I hate that fight so much.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 March, 2016, 11:19:35 am
I'm not sure if that's the standard or not but oh my god I hate that fight so much.
I think most people hate him, so you aren't alone.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 March, 2016, 11:47:31 am
also if you need a summon for either fight

eh


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 01:28:24 pm
I'll let you know if I can't find anyone.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 04:37:27 pm
Youef and I bested Laurence on our second attempt. The Orphan is just abominable, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 05:14:23 pm
We got him the very next try after beating Laurence.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2016, 05:41:34 pm
I beat the Orphan on my second try which blew my friend's mind when I told him.I really love that fight, its probably my second favorite in Bloodborne.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 05:49:54 pm
It is definitely the kind of fight I can see you enjoying. sick fuck


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2016, 05:52:00 pm
*looks up pre DSIII top boss list*

he's at number ten overall and is the highest bloodborne boss other than ludwig


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 05:57:52 pm
Well it's done.

I think it took me four tries to best Gehrman. Great fight, and a close one, too. I ended up switching to Ludwig's, and I had to pull out the Old Hunter's Bone to use his trick against him. I couldn't figure out his timings, so I didn't parry very much. Probably could have been way cleaner.

Then the Moon Presence came and it killed me once because I only had two vials left. Was a joke the second time, especially using the Empty Phantasm Shell.

That ending, haha.


Boss rankings forthcoming.

Definitely my favorite soulsborne game. Very little hesitation. It just feels good to play this game in a way that the other games don't quite match. Love the environment and atmosphere, too. Man. Yeah this is a good one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2016, 06:00:05 pm
Excellent. I wish I liked the gameplay as much as everyone else did (I think it feels like a weird middle ground between a Souls style action RPG and a straight action game at times that didn't click with me like it does for other people) but in terms of visuals and environment its pretty much untouched.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 07:02:23 pm
Bosses
1. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower
2. Martyr Logarius
3. Gehrman, The First Hunter
4. Father Gascoigne
5. Ludwig, the Accursed/the Holy Blade
6. Mergo's Wet Nurse
7. Darkbeast Paarl
8. The Orphan of Kos
9. Vicar Amelia
10. Laurence, the First Vicar
11. Cleric Beast
12. The Shadow of Yharnam
13. The One Reborn
14. Moon Presence
15. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos
16. Amygdala
17. Blood-starved Beast
18. Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
19. Rom, The Vacuous Spider
20. The Witch of Hemwick
21. Celestial Emissary
22. Living Failures

This list is kinda rushed, but I know I definitely favor the duels against other hunters and hunter-type things. Orphan of Kos seems a little high, but I guess I have to grudgingly admit that he's more memorable than a several of the others. "Formality" fights mostly make up the end of the list.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2016, 11:00:37 pm
Anyway, the march of progress through video games must not cease, so I'm doing as many side ops (poorly) as I can in GZ tonight before starting MGSV tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 March, 2016, 12:02:43 pm
Forgot to say that I heard Youef's voice for the first time yesterday. He sounds like a human.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 March, 2016, 03:08:52 pm
I met youef in person twice get on my level.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 March, 2016, 03:42:40 pm
hard to do that without being on your latitude


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 March, 2016, 04:15:35 pm
yeah, well I, uh... talked to Darkblaze! like, once, six years ago


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 March, 2016, 05:15:50 pm
hard to do that without being on your latitude

we're on the server half of the us though so it could be worse


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 March, 2016, 05:33:25 pm
Started MGSV. Rescued Miller and more importantly like three cassette tapes. My priorities are well inline.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 March, 2016, 08:10:54 pm
My next mission went pretty well. No alert phases, no retries. Another tape successfully liberated from enemy tapedecks ("Kids in America"). Though I'm trying to figure out if taking tapes alerts enemies? I had to CQC three dudes coming through the door (including my target lol) after nabbing it, and I'm not sure if it was because of that or if I was just seen through the window.

Also not sure how to get the iDroid to dismiss when I've looked at a new recruit in the staff management window. Annoying for my notification OCD.



And how do people feel about me posting spoiler-type stuff for this game? I didn't smalltext anything for Bloodborne 'cause that game had been out for a year. This one came out in September and I dunno how much people care.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 27 March, 2016, 08:14:04 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Zup3a-9hM

maybe some mechanics spoilers if you care about that


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 March, 2016, 08:18:13 pm
ok


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 March, 2016, 11:13:39 pm
i think the entire regular population of this board has played MGSV, and it's kind of a big deal game moreso than bloodborne, so its spoiler exemption period has largely come and passed. if it's comfortable to be discreet, go for it, but I wouldn't worry too much about letting a few things through the cracks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 27 March, 2016, 11:24:18 pm
there honestly isn't much worth spoiling as far as the story is concerned anyways


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 28 March, 2016, 05:22:34 am
yeah i didn't get far into it and don't care about spoilers so do what you gotta do


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 March, 2016, 10:53:57 am
That's more or less what I figured. I'll just use my best judgment if there's something possibly worth hiding.


Anyway, Youef has inspired me to do another ranking, and what better place to do that than at work while I'm still waking up mentally. Areas in Bloodborne. I've tried to condense mostly to location names that actually pop up when you enter them. Also not ranking the Hunter's Dream, though it is a really cool area as far as hubs go.

1. Forsaken Cainhurst Castle: Once you get through the grounds and past the bloodlickers, this is my favorite area. The castle interior is wonderfully old-fashioned, the polished floors have a really nice effect with the ghosts, the enemies are unsettling without being terribly annoying, and then the rooftops are just a great place for fighting and looking around. The way you get here is also awesome with the carriage that shows up, and then when you get there the bridge is collapsed and the horses are dead. Certainly in keeping with some of the "what the fuck"ery this game has to offer.

2. Central Yharnam: One of my favorite introductory areas in any game, I think. Just based on the view you get when you first come out of the clinic, the sounds you hear right away, and then the variance of the area you discover. Going from streets to sewers to rafters, there's more verticality in this area than a lot of devs would trust new players with, but it does a good job of teaching you what kinds of things to look for and teaching you how to explore later areas of the game. Later in my playthrough, I found myself pretty nostalgic for this area.

3. Forbidden Woods: I like the way this area starts off one way and then completely changes halfway through. First you've got this sort of secluded village with the townsfolk who are probably hiding from something. They've got their traps set up and I imagine they got out of town to try and escape the hunt, but the scourge found them regardless. The windmill is also a curious thing and it makes me wonder what it powered. The second half of the area is really daunting at first and it's easy to get turned around in, but it's a case of a very broad path muddling a straightforward route. The snakes are fun mostly because their hiss is worse than their kiss. The giant headstones are great as well, though they made me wish they could be examined and read.

4. Yahar'gul, Unseen Village: I ended up liking this area more than I might have realized upon initially entering it. For one it does that thing where it can catch you offguard and have you end up here early. The pre-blood moon music is also awesome. And then afterward when you can see all the amygdalae hanging all over the place, this area has some great visuals. Enemies are a pain in the ass, especially the Nito Dumpsters, but the Tonitrus does make quick work of them.

5. Hemwick Charnal Lane: The whole game looks really cool, but the kinda mossy look this area has is really great. From a lore perspective, too, I like the idea that this village started out as a graveyard behind the Grand Cathedral and then just grew into a village. Populated mostly by women, you wonder if the work of burial and undertaking fell on their shoulders while men were largely responsible for the hunt. Somewhat disappointing that the game doesn't give you much reason to return here aside from getting to Cainhurst Castle.

6. Cathedral Ward: Possibly one of the biggest areas in the game, and yet its odd how it doesn't always feel like it. The trenchcoat enemies are pretty intimidating at first, as are the giants, and they're a good example of how many different kinds of tactics the game can throw at you. You've got lantern guys, staff guys, crucifix guys, scythe guys, flamesprayer guys, and a guy who shoots you. Definitely keeps you on your toes. This area acts as something of a crossroads, and it's a place that I liked traversing just as a bit of a breather as I was going from place to place in the later game.

7. Nightmare of Mensis: Ranked shockingly high on account of the huge winter lantern presence, I still dig this area for mostly being a big dreary castle. As far as endgame areas go, it's a pretty good one, and it brings together so much of what you've learned about the other areas. Wrecking the shadows of Yharnam at the top also feels great.

8. Fishing Hamlet: I think the biggest surprise in this game is that nothing in this area tries to poison you. There are plenty of other terrible things that make it stressful, but seriously, thank god there's no poison. Someone else pointed out that this place is great, not just because it's Innsmouth, but because it feels like an actual fishing village. It's got everything it needs to be believable, other than the awful well with shark ogres in it. After passing through it, I kind of regretted killing Brador beforehand. Think it might have been fun to fight him in the areas his clothes showed up.

9. Research Hall: This area is cool even though there might be a few too many enemies. The patients can be a huge pain in the ass to deal with, at least just getting up that first flight of stairs. It's almost better to stealth the area, but my brain just wasn't in that mode at all. Of course it's also home to my favorite boss fight in the game, and the bonus was that I finally got to go inside the clocktower. That was a place I'd wanted to go as soon as I walked out of Oedon Chapel.

10. Upper Cathedral Ward: This area is easy to forget about or miss entirely. You find the locked door early enough that it can slip from your mind, and the key is in an easy to miss area, too. Not to mention it's hard to see this place from below. From a lore standpoint, that's kind of the idea. It's pretty small, and brainsuckers suddenly decide to be annoying. Ebrietas is kinda cool at least.

11. Byrgenwerth: Probably the most disappointing area in the game. I think I just wanted it to be bigger, like more of a campus than just a single building. The lake is at least a nice set piece.

12. Hunter's Nightmare: It's cool that this is essentially a poorly remembered mashup of the Cathedral Ward and Central Yharnam, but that also means that it's just a mashup of Cathedral Ward and Central Yharnam. I do like the wild west feel you get upon first entering the area and encountering the old hunters and their big hats. It's kind of a pain after that, though.

13. Old Yharnam: Great lore, bland enemies. It's better once you get to the street level and I'm not sure I've ever jumped as much as when the red-eyed wolf crept up on me out of the steam. In the end it's easy to put behind you.

14. Lecture Hall: Neat area, but too small to really rank any higher.

15. Nightmare Frontier: The only area of the game I truly dislike, and of course it's all thanks to poison. And winter lanterns. And rock-throwing wampas that can one-shot you when you aren't looking.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 March, 2016, 10:10:38 pm
It takes a long time for me to get stuff done in this game, but it is a pretty large environment. Only had time tonight to get a couple of side ops done, and more importantly, I rescued DD and some sheep.

Kinda wish I had the option to just salute my soldiers when I return to Mother Base instead of just CQCing them. I get that still raises their morale but like, still. I can't even pet my dog.
Also funny how all these Russian soldiers I'm extracting end up with American accents once they become Diamond Dogs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 29 March, 2016, 04:37:39 am
*beats up and extracts a russian soldier* "that's another crispin freeman for the base!"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2016, 08:13:52 am
I mean, it could be worse. They could all be Greg Ayers or something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2016, 11:19:41 am
I want there to be official translations for the Bloodborne OST's lyrics, but the only thing that comes up in Google search is the best efforts of self-professed Latin experts on Reddit, so ugh.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2016, 04:31:20 pm
http://kotaku.com/the-worst-ways-to-die-in-dark-souls-1767756116

Pretty sure all of these have happened to me except for the cocky emote one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2016, 10:56:06 pm
Didn't have time for a whole lot tonight so I just did one main mission. Blew up some communication relay, and more importantly liberated another tape and a poster from the enemy. They saw me do it, so I kinda had to leg it out of there while detonating the C4, which might have accidentally killed a guy. Successful otherwise.


In other news, I had dinner with one of my best friends tonight and he said he picked up Dark Souls 1 on a whim today. I'm very excited to hear about his pain and suffering.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 March, 2016, 05:25:43 am
It's one of the best experiences you can have with the game. I remember being legit proud when my friend beat it against all expectations.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2016, 08:31:09 am
He didn't even know about the online mechanics before I told him about them. Thinking about it now he got it on Xbox and I'm not sure he's ever used Xbox Live, but I hope he finds a way to play online.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2016, 09:02:03 am
A week later and I'm still floored by the flawless musical transition from Ludwig phase 1 to phase 2.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 March, 2016, 01:15:56 pm
quality ass boss fight and song


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2016, 10:24:21 pm
Minor accomplishments today because I had to help set up my mom's new laptop, so that ate into my evening a bit. But I finished two more side-ops, fulton'd most of an outpost, finished construction of a new strut and started another one, and most importantly, spent some time driving a Jeep around Northern Kabul. A good evening overall.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2016, 10:37:27 pm
Also this is a thing, apparently

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uH3OGfQpu8


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 March, 2016, 10:49:24 pm
I think I fultoned almost every single person I possibly could, unless I wanted to do complete stealth and no kills.

Yeah, I had no idea Eli Roth was such a fan of Dark Souls. I guess it makes sense.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2016, 10:58:12 pm
I do it more for the convenience of not having to hide their bodies or risk them waking back up. Also it's satisfying. But I try not to take people that are an E rank across the board. My roster is already filling up a bit, but that's what expansion is for, I guess.


Also lol at all of this "news" coming out of the FFXV event. An anime, a CGI movie with Sean Bean and Lena Headey, and another demo, oh and their release date that was the whole point of the event leaked a week ago. There's no way this game can possibly succeed under the weight of the expectations they're setting, to say nothing of the extra bullshit they've put energy into.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 31 March, 2016, 03:44:51 am
I feel like Genndy Tartatovsky would've been a much better choice than Eli Roth for a Dark Souls animation but we'll see where it goes I guess.

Regarding FF15, it seems like they've poured a lot of money into it. I bet if I saw all this stuff back when I was 13 and the game was still called Versus XIII, I would've flipped a sh(http://)it. I'm still interested in it just to see what the hell has happened with it, but I feel like Square is putting a lot of pressure on themselves.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2016, 05:24:00 am
I think no matter what it's gonna succeed at least with initial sales basically just by virtue of not being XIII. All the extra stuff is hysterical though. As someone who was never interested in this game the whole saga has been like watching a fascinating train wreck.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 08:44:52 am
I'll play through that demo just to see if anything grabs me, but I'll be looking for things to ridicule more likely.

The new trailer is actually pretty good regardless of all the fluff surrounding it.

I guess I should clarify that I would like to like the game? I would say I'm a fan of the series, and whenever they re-revealed this game a few years ago I had that flutter of hype. It just seems like Square has a habit of burning people lately, and I question they're ability to pull it off.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2016, 10:04:57 am
I would like to know what its like to be excited for an FF rather than to appreciate a game retroactively but yeah, this hasn't appealed to me since its inception. I know a lot of people who are PUMPED for this so it would be nice to agree with that but I unno. The Kingdom Hearts gameplay doesn't/isn't doing anything to change my mind. It doesn't need to be turn based and all that, just... interesting I guess? I don't know.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 10:06:43 am
Yeah. It's odd how they want so desperately to pull new people in with this title, and yet for the life of me I can't really see anything that would appeal to anyone who doesn't already jive with FF stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 10:22:53 am
you're so close to the best moment in the game i'm thoroughly excited
What was this in reference to specifically?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2016, 11:01:32 am
ludwig i think if i remember the timing right

its probable i don't though

Yeah. It's odd how they want so desperately to pull new people in with this title, and yet for the life of me I can't really see anything that would appeal to anyone who doesn't already jive with FF stuff.

cool road trip stuff!


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 11:05:06 am
cool road trip with a band of moody white dudes with weird hair

really pushing into new territory


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2016, 11:13:22 am
A game that nails a road trip aspect/feel would actually be pretty cool if it didn't have KH combat and Nomura designs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 31 March, 2016, 02:51:25 pm
I'm surprised they got Aaron Paul, Lena Headey, and Sean Bean to do the voices. Must've costed a ton of money.

I dunno, still on the fence with this one. I dislike the character designs but I can probably get over that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 31 March, 2016, 03:38:25 pm
http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/03/31/final-fantasy-15-needs-to-sell-10-million-copies-to-succeed

lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 04:20:48 pm
So like, compared to what GTAV has done, that's nothing. But for a JRPG, yeah, that might be difficult.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2016, 04:59:58 pm
hay

http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/31/11338576/destiny-april-update-emotes


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 31 March, 2016, 05:11:15 pm
http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/03/31/final-fantasy-15-needs-to-sell-10-million-copies-to-succeed

lol

i just love how insane sqenix's budgeters are

i remember when they were disappointed when tomb raider sold like, 3.5 million copies in the first few weeks. to date, it's probably barely hit 10 million, and that's after what is probably a very sizeable margin of those sales have been on 75%+ discount. good luck selling 10 million copies of a final fantasy game that isn't FFVII in this day and age.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 05:16:38 pm
hay

http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/31/11338576/destiny-april-update-emotes
I have extra silver left over and will probably get the DS emote, yes. It will be the price I pay for playing Destiny on April 12 instead of DSIII.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2016, 10:38:08 pm
Two side-ops and a mission tonight. The mission was going really well until I got careless. Like I was picking up the prisoner and an unmarked patrol showed up behind me. Irritating, but I still got a lot of stuff including "A Phantom Pain" which is my new helicopter song. More importantly, base expansion is going well and DD is getting bigger.

Also, sandstorms are op


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 01 April, 2016, 12:30:46 am
I love that song.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 April, 2016, 10:59:13 pm
I played the Platinum Demo. The only worthwhile part is the combat section where you're actually grown up, and I apparently suck at that. Jumping feels awful and just moving around is kind of weightless? I dunno. Feels like pretty standard JRPG.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 01 April, 2016, 11:15:14 pm
That's a shame. Maybe I'll check it out, but eh. Also is it just me or are there like a million backstories to this game? I don't really want to watch the anime and CGI movie just to understand what's going on.

Tbf the only two JRPGs I'm interested in at this point with an actual chance of being released this year are Bravely Second and Persona 5, and I don't even like Persona that much. Nier Automata also looks really good, but its projected 2016 release is dubious at this point. I'm still sort of interested in FF15, but honestly after 10 years you'd think it would look at least like its own game with its own personality. Everything I've seen seems like standard JRPG fare.

Maybe I'm being too harsh. I support Square Enix with this game, because it seems to me that they're really trying to regain their status and to revive JRPGs, but who knows how this will turn out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2016, 01:55:16 am
Yeah. It could be I'm being too hard on it due to some sort of biases, but I don't know what that would be. I typically have liked the series back in its heyday. I would still prefer that it be a good game, too, I'm just gonna have to hear from plenty of people that it is before I pick it up.

And my guess is that the anime and the movie are more just to tide people over and keep the hype machine going. I watched the first episode of the anime and it was fine. It's only 10 minutes long.


I did stuff in metal gear tonight but I'm really tired and have a headache, so I'll update tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2016, 06:13:40 pm
Victory Achieved.

"Take on Me" is in my possession.

I sure did bleed for it, though. Stealth is hard, dammit. I need a better way to get rid of lots of people at a time. And sometimes the sightlines you have to overcome are just brutal.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 02 April, 2016, 10:02:39 pm
Damn, you're making me want to replay some of this game now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2016, 10:14:12 pm
That's kinda funny. I don't feel like I'm finding nearly as much to say about this game, nor generating nearly as much discussion, as I did with Bloodborne.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 02 April, 2016, 10:15:17 pm
Well, there isn't really much to say to be honest. Every mission is the same thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2016, 11:04:24 pm
Eh. Kinda.

So I successfully used the "Do It" command to cause an enemy commander's Jeep to spin out. Smoke bombed it, swooped in, and put them all on the ground, then fultoned them out. After that, I snuck into the place where the other two commanders were meeting and abused yet another sandstorm to grab another one. Got the drop on the last one by sneaking into a building through a window and then flanking him through an open door.

One of the soldiers I extracted is named Death Platypus.

This was my best mission yet, basically.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 April, 2016, 09:17:31 pm
I don't think I did any missions today. I had Smash on Twitch and was kinda watching that off and on, so I basically just did side-ops and exploration. Did like a full circuit of the lower half of the map picking off dudes, grabbing materials, and establishing the fast-travel network (which I only just learned about after a week). More importantly, I found "The Final Countdown," a leopard gecko, and a bechstein bat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 April, 2016, 09:20:36 am
Reviews are out for Dark Souls III and it looks like it's splitting people a bit, though consensus still seems to be "This is a good game but hope you love frame drops."


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 04 April, 2016, 01:32:50 pm
Game reviews these days are getting oversaturated with 9's and 10's. It's reached a point where if I look at a game that has an average of 7 or whatever, I'd be less inclined to want to play it, which is really dumb of me. I don't really want to pay attention to these scores or numbers anymore, which is why I support Eurogamer's decision to drop the whole reviewer score system. It puts more emphasis on the content of the review rather than the score. I think it would be better for other reviewers to adopt that style, so we could refrain from seeing people have vitriolic outbursts over things like 8.8/10.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 April, 2016, 01:54:31 pm
Kotaku doesn't score either, and they even dropped their Yes/No/Not Yet system, acknowledging that that too was a score.

Something else that was a common theme in the reviews I read was people saying the game is more linear, and yet also saying "there's lots of secrets to discover," which has me somewhat concerned. Exploration is such a huge part of what I like in these games.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 04 April, 2016, 02:09:24 pm
Apparently it's similar to Bloodborne in level progression and linearity, but each individual area is at least as dense as something like Central Yharnam. I don't think that will be much of an issue, but I guess we'll just have to play it to find out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 April, 2016, 02:12:34 pm
True enough. 8 days.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 04 April, 2016, 03:38:31 pm
honestly, if something is overhyped and virtually destined to get a million 9s and 10s, i immediately zoom in on the lowest reviews available, especially if they're in the 6-7 range which is usually the bracket in which I put all of my opinions.

i always put review aggregates on a gradient represented by how much everyone expects that title to be awesome -- if we're talking some rando thing like, i dunno, toukiden gets an average of 7.5, that repels me a hell of a lot less than destiny landing in the same range. usually the more obscure something is to the reviewer, the more insightful and interesting a high[er] rating actually is.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 April, 2016, 05:21:17 pm
Phil Kollar gave the lowest score I read (a 7), and he opined that this game is the first sign that From can't keep up with the pace they've set for themselves. Seems like a pretty sober assessment. I can't imagine putting out three of these games in three years, no matter how many people work there.

It's pretty against my MO to deal too heavily into reviews for games I know I'm going to play regardless, though. Next week just needs to get here.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 April, 2016, 10:56:21 pm
Did a mission tonight. Was pretty fun. I subdued all the guards in a cliffside village and then stole an enemy missile launcher and blew up an armored convoy during a sandstorm. Killed the officer I would have liked to extract, but it's hard to temper a volley of missiles.

Completing that has finally let me establish my combat unit, which means I actually get some stable income. The combat interface is necessarily less time consuming than Outer Ops were in Peace Walker, but I do wish there was at least some indication of how the actual mission went. A more detailed report maybe. I dunno.

DD still hasn't grown and I'm starting to get impatient.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2016, 03:28:17 pm
Heavily confused as to why DSIII is apparently releasing a day earlier on PC. First they release it 3 weeks early in Japan, and now they split it up even further?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 April, 2016, 03:55:31 pm
Where did you hear that?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2016, 03:58:49 pm
It's on the Steam page and also Gamestop's website. A friend brought it up and I had to go scour places looking for confirmation, and it seems to be the case.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 April, 2016, 04:01:52 pm
maybe it's for pre-loading? I don't think they can just change the release date like that


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 April, 2016, 04:05:56 pm
i imagine it's pre-loading and installing. seems to be locked until 6 PM EST on the 11th, so I imagine that's a buffer so approximately everyone gets it on time


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2016, 04:18:10 pm
Maybe so. I guess that is a thing that happens.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2016, 09:04:54 pm
Started out the night by having my helicopter shot down. I was deploying on a side op that was like "eliminate the armored unit" and the LZ was within the area of operation, so I was like "What's the worst that can happen?"

30k GMP crashed and burned on a lonely hill in the Hindu Khush, that's what.

Ended up circling around the APC and taking it out with a missile, and then all the dudes that were looking for me got caught in the secondary explosion. Serves them right.

After that I headed up the road because there's some side-op I haven't been able to do because there weren't any drop points up there, so I figured if I explored up that way that would open up some stuff.

And that's how I walked into the Quiet fight without a sniper rifle.

But I wasn't going to run away. And even with her abilities, she ain't got nothing on The End. The End at least didn't hum quite so much. So yeah, I neutralized her with just my tranq pistol. Probably would have S ranked the damn thing if I hadn't gotten hit like 5 times for dumb reasons.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 April, 2016, 12:30:36 am
I think I ended up having to use a tranq pistol on her too. She wasn't too bad.

I cheesed The End by changing my PS2 clock a few days ahead lololol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 April, 2016, 07:35:28 am
Started out the night by having my helicopter shot down. I was deploying on a side op that was like "eliminate the armored unit" and the LZ was within the area of operation, so I was like "What's the worst that can happen?"

30k GMP crashed and burned on a lonely hill in the Hindu Khush, that's what.

lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 April, 2016, 08:34:15 am
I think I ended up having to use a tranq pistol on her too. She wasn't too bad.

I cheesed The End by changing my PS2 clock a few days ahead lololol
I hope you've done it legit too


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 April, 2016, 11:35:35 pm
DD is finally combat ready. Don't really have anything else to report tonight. Went up and snuck around the big base at the top of the map for a while.

Tomorrow I think I'll go kidnap an old friend and torture him a little bit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 April, 2016, 11:45:55 pm
I didn't.

Huey is a jerk.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 April, 2016, 11:53:14 pm
What can you kill him?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 April, 2016, 02:17:11 pm
This game's habit of going "This is a side-op.... surprise it's actually a mission" is rankling my desires to do stuff in order. But I got Huey out and now he's my R&D slave or whatever. I sort of feel like no one I work with is actually trustworthy though?

Also the way they implemented DD into the field is almost really smart. I wasn't sure what to expect but he's not like completely static to me, but then when he wanders off he doesn't alert enemies to my position. But they also didn't just go like "Ok he's invisible." The enemies just treat him like a wolf and tell him to go away. The reason it's "almost" smart is that it kinda breaks down when they see a wolf in battle dress and just go "shoo, shoo."

Other highlights from last night: Rescued some bears, made a lot of money on dispatch missions, and finally got a transportation specialist. Today I'm going to steal so many tanks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 April, 2016, 06:14:53 pm
I sort of feel like no one I work with is actually trustworthy though?

that's life man


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 April, 2016, 11:36:38 pm
True enough.


I spent most of the day doing side ops and stealing big container crates. Really trying to expand my base a lot since all my rosters are full, but materials are hard to come by even when I can gather in bulk.

I did do the first Africa mission (and I got an A!), so that's something. Seems like an interesting new place, although the map looks smaller?

Also I can develop D-Walker now. Makes me wonder if my bond with buddies will go down if I don't use them. I love DD but I find having to use jeeps to get around really restrictive.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 April, 2016, 08:35:23 pm
Didn't get off to a great start with the walking breasts. She killed my extraction target during a side-op. I guess it was technically my fault because he saw me and then I couldn't bring him down during reflex. But still. Also she won't stop humming her song in my ear.

But cancelling that allowed me to do something awesome once I had loaded back in. The target was walking my way with a posse of dudes. They were going to walk right past me, so I brought my box out and waited for them to pass, then once they all had their backs to me, I tossed a smoke grenade at the patrol, then ran in and did a CQC combo. I grabbed the guy I needed and got out of the village before anyone could figure out what had happened.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2016, 01:31:22 pm
Should note that I'm leaving off MGSV with a 29% completion rate, so there's still plenty of game for me to get back to eventually.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 April, 2016, 01:42:21 pm
I think I finished the game at around 50-60% completion, so you have a solid chunk left assuming you don't do any of the extras.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2016, 08:56:30 pm
Not many Destiny friends showed up tonight, so I'm at least going to make my character and maybe try to get through the first area. It begins.

oh man, the menu music is so much more intense than what I'm used to


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2016, 11:19:46 pm
https://twitter.com/subjunctivitis/status/720079070038466560

https://twitter.com/subjunctivitis/status/720085607423307776

Two deaths so far. Once to the Iudex and once to the naked guy with a katana outside Firelink. I got my revenge on both in basically the same way (two-handed, mash the attack button).

I'm playing a Warrior. I felt the axe would be familiar, though I definitely tried to extend it once already. Also I miss regain. Picked a fire gem as my gift, but I'm hesitant to put it straight into my axe just because I don't know how quickly I'll find something else that I like. I got a halberd from one dude, so I might try that out once I get the Dex for it. Has anyone figured out which stats if any are useless yet? There's always one....

I've stopped for the night at the second bonfire on the High Wall, right after the dragon, which is pretty much the extent of the gameplay I had already seen.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2016, 11:35:39 pm
On a completely unrelated note, Homestuck just ended and I don't know where to even make note of that or express myself about it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 April, 2016, 08:29:32 am
https://twitter.com/subjunctivitis/status/720079070038466560

oh my god lol

I tried to make my guy look sort of like me (skinny, receding hairline, etc.) and holy **** my arms are **** skinny in this game. The Mercenary's standard outfit doesn't hide it so it looks really funny when I have any sword of biggish weapon.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 April, 2016, 08:47:06 am
Yeah, I threw the "muscular" slider to the wall to try and correct that. At some point I'll accept that I have no mastery whatsoever over Souls games character creators and I'll just make something outlandish.


There was a really awesome design thing right at the start of the High Wall that I really appreciated. When you walk into the room directly below the dead dragon at the start, you can see a corpse with an item sitting on a windowsill. It's a nice clue that you should backtrack and try to find a way up, and sure enough, I had completely missed the stairs up to the roof there, where you find the binoculars. Better yet, when you drop down to that window and find the item, it's Gold Pine Resin. A Lightning buff next to the corpse of a dragon makes plenty of sense, even if the poor soul didn't make it out with his life. Just that one setup gives me so much faith in the rest of the game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 April, 2016, 08:11:02 am
I played Destiny all last night, but I'm finding it might not have been the automatic call to return for all the people I play with that I thought it would be. It makes a bit of sense. Strictly speaking, this update is very light on content. A single story mission and a new strike, neither of which take place in new areas. Everything else is a revamp of previous activities.

The only real reason to play is for the new armor sets, as well as to experience the weapon rebalancing. Sniping seems to have an even higher learning curve, and I stopped playing just as I was trying to teach myself how to do it, so my progress there is basically reset. Basically I think I can get by with playing a couple nights a week. It would be nice to get some of the new armor just for fashion purposes, but mostly I just want to take advantage of how much easier it is to raise my light level.

The plan for tonight is to go full Dark Souls, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 April, 2016, 11:08:03 am
Sidebar: my friend that I mentioned elsewhere beat Dark Souls III last night after 26 hours. Considering he got it Monday night, I think it's safe to say he stopped only to sleep. On one hand, good for him, but on the other hand, it's over just like that. He apparently missed stuff, but man, I don't ever want to be that far up a game's ass, no matter what it is.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 14 April, 2016, 11:18:18 am
i was kinda like that with dark souls 2, actually -- played it nonstop and finished it in about two and a half days over about 28 hours worth of playing, which was in the middle of the week during a semester with everyone's favorite math class, calc 2, in it. i dunno, i guess i'm just that into these games, or maybe it's just because I'm an incorrigible loser with no life (which is true)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 April, 2016, 11:26:22 am
It's one thing if you have the time and the drive. I just know for myself it takes a measured pace to get the most out of something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 April, 2016, 11:30:28 am
I'm pretty much like this now with Dark Souls 3 since I ended up getting today and tomorrow off work. But I'd like to try my best to explore the games. I definitely won't be beating it in 28 hours.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 April, 2016, 10:53:31 pm
Hmm... Mmm... Where to begin?

Hopped back in from the Tower on the Wall. Found a merchant who gave me a ring to give to a lady. Ah, romance. Got down into a courtyard. Died a couple of times trying to kill the big executioner dude only for him to drop nothing. I guess the Rapier in the corner was what he was guarding.

Then I went down to the bigger courtyard. Two big doors, but the messages told me which one led to a boss. Met the head lady in the other room and got the whole Way of the Blue deal. I haven't equipped it though.

After that I dealt with Vordt. He killed me once, but I bested him the next time. The age old souls boss tactic of staying in his ass worked wonders. (I died the first time because I got frostbitten and that seemed to really weaken me).

Found another merchant after the gargoyles put me down. He said his name was Yoel but I'm totally calling him Joel. I'm not smart enough for magic, but he wants to awaken my inner strength or something? I have no idea what that's about. Kinda wary of it.

Started trying to make my way through Hemwick Charnal Lane, I mean, the Undead Settlement and man are there lots of paths there. I got a bit of a ways down one after looking around and then got invaded by an NPC. I had no estus though, so I ended up using a homeward bone there. Think going back that way will be the first thing I do tomorrow.

Two of the other paths then led me to the church like building where Gough(?) was shooting errors. He doesn't seem to be Gough as his intellect appears more at the level of the giant blacksmith. Also there was a scary looking dude outside that church who told me I should quit my job, but more importantly, who comes up the elevator inside but my newest, oldest, bestest friend. Leave it to a knight of Catarina to get stuck midway between an elevator shaft.

And then there was this fire demon thing. He was mean, and I kept getting him really low on health before he'd stomp me. I was also kinda worried that he was going to kill Siegward, and the first time I mistook his battle cry for a death cry. Glad it wasn't the case, and he survived the six or so tries it took me to kill the thing. So now I have an awesome gesture and homebrew beer and I'm hanging out taking a nap because that's what you do after a toast.

I did go and explore the rest of that little area before stopping, and I found a ring up on the roof, but no exit. I get the feeling one of the first items in that area was a homeward bone for a reason. Just as well as I've got plenty of souls to go level with. And I have another fire gem now, so I have no fear of using one. Still really liking my starting axe but kinda hoping to find something cooler? I've picked up a few weapons but none of them really speak to me.

I feel this was a solid day.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 April, 2016, 07:49:34 am
Forgot to mention that I also found Cornyx the pyrobro, so I'm definitely gonna hit him up for some spicy fireballs.

Did pyromancy always scale with INT/Faith?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 April, 2016, 11:38:12 am
Forgot to mention that I also found Cornyx the pyrobro, so I'm definitely gonna hit him up for some spicy fireballs.

Did pyromancy always scale with INT/Faith?


Nah, I don't think so. Pretty sure that was Hex in II, I think Pyromancy has usually been "just scales with the item level" at least in 1.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 15 April, 2016, 11:57:53 am
Pyromancy was pretty OP in Dark Souls 1, so it got hit with the nerf bat at in Dark Souls 2 where you could still use any spell independent of scaling stats so long as you had the attunement slots for it, but instead pyromancy scaled with magic and faith such that it would be pretty weak if you just used it with base stats (the most powerful spells like flame swathe would be lucky to do like, 300 damage). Still saw some use even with stat scaling, especially the support magic like Warmth and Flame Weapon, since they just put up a non-variable effect that didn't give a damn about stats (flame weapon was a key part of my level 1 build). Haven't really looked at any magic in Dark Souls 3, but I think they gave pyromancy spells concrete stat requirements now? Guess making it require both magic and faith was the way Dark Souls 3 tried to reconcile it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 April, 2016, 12:29:12 pm
Interesting. It occurs to me that I have 0 attunement slots currently, so maybe I don't actually want to invest much into pyromancy. Think I'd have to do a lot of grinding to make it worthwhile anytime soon.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 April, 2016, 07:26:08 pm
Killed Holy Knight Hodrick. Killed the big tree. Took me a couple of tries because that first phase is kind of a **** to get through without using too many estus, and I also was slow to realize that his arm was vulnerable during the whole stand-up-and-fall-over attack. Wailed on him after that.

Also pretty glad that I befriended the giant archer before going over there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 April, 2016, 03:27:02 pm
I like the Irythyl Straight Sword. A fine prize from that outrider knight that killed me three times.

Made my way down the Road of Sacrifices after that. I skirted the little swamp area because I didn't really want to venture out there if I didn't have to, and I saw from afar that there appears to be a giant enemy crab in there. Dealt with the black knight, then went the other way through the stone keep that's kinda there. The Crystal Sage killed me once because magic, but I killed him easily when I switched back to an axe (I'm using the Brigand Axe now because it looks cooler) and a wooden shield. Anticipating fighting another one based on the description of its soul, but it could be that it was just referring to the decoys.

Gonna go back and check out the crab swamp now before I press on.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 16 April, 2016, 04:22:25 pm
I like the Irythyl Straight Sword. A fine prize from that outrider knight that killed me three times.

Made my way down the Road of Sacrifices after that. I skirted the little swamp area because I didn't really want to venture out there if I didn't have to, and I saw from afar that there appears to be a giant enemy crab in there. Dealt with the black knight, then went the other way through the stone keep that's kinda there. The Crystal Sage killed me once because magic, but I killed him easily when I switched back to an axe (I'm using the Brigand Axe now because it looks cooler) and a wooden shield. Anticipating fighting another one based on the description of its soul, but it could be that it was just referring to the decoys.

Gonna go back and check out the crab swamp now before I press on.

Crystal Sage seems like what Pinwheel should have been as a boss, even though Pinwheel is a cool character.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 16 April, 2016, 04:32:38 pm
I like the Irythyl Straight Sword. A fine prize from that outrider knight that killed me three times.

Made my way down the Road of Sacrifices after that. I skirted the little swamp area because I didn't really want to venture out there if I didn't have to, and I saw from afar that there appears to be a giant enemy crab in there. Dealt with the black knight, then went the other way through the stone keep that's kinda there. The Crystal Sage killed me once because magic, but I killed him easily when I switched back to an axe (I'm using the Brigand Axe now because it looks cooler) and a wooden shield. Anticipating fighting another one based on the description of its soul, but it could be that it was just referring to the decoys.

Gonna go back and check out the crab swamp now before I press on.

Crystal Sage seems like what Pinwheel should have been as a boss, even though Pinwheel is a cool character.
I still think neither Pinwheel nor Crystal Sage are up to snuff compared to Fool's Idol, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 April, 2016, 04:44:38 pm
At least you have to fight this guy in sequence instead of being able to skip Pinwheel until he's a joke.

also i'm now in the cathedral of the deep and there are spaghetti monsters hitting me and I can't stop bleeding weh


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 April, 2016, 07:23:10 pm
I love the design of Cathedral of the Deep. So huge but it all fits together. The enemies on the inside are far less bullshit than the ones on the outside, too, so that's a plus. I have both shortcuts back to the Chapel open now, and I went up higher on the roof, around in the rafters and ended up in some slug lady's chamber. Not sure I want to join her covenant. Haven't really found a covenant I want to join at all, really.

I also did some backtracking earlier. Went back and rescued Irina of Carim, so me and her scary bodyguard are boys now. Also found the Velka statue, so if I actually do have a way to not fuck up covenants at least.

Also found Patches. Or let him find me. Probably the most inventive encounter with him, and I managed to get out of there without dying, so that's cool. Oh and Snuggly is up there too, but I dunno what to give her. Might wait until late game and then look up a list.

Thinking I should be pretty close to the first Lord. Much excite.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 April, 2016, 10:30:55 pm
Guess I wasn't as close as I thought.

I spend a good ten minutes hacking at the knee of one of the giants so I could get all the stuff in the gunk around him. Kinda weird that their AI doesn't respond to threats, but I guess it tells them to ignore you once you're on the stairs there.

The Deacons of the Deep killed me twice. The first time because their little dark ball spell can go through the casket. The second time because I found out what their big "ominous clouds of darkness spell does." Third time, as with every other pickle I've been in, I just got more aggressive. I hung out afterward and helped another person beat them just to see what the fight was like co-op. Still pretty trivial.

It wasn't immediately obvious where to go after that. I talked to Anri at the shrine and so I knew I had to get to Farron Keep, but I wasn't sure where exactly that was. I though I was supposed to go out the other door behind the other giant, but that was a dead end (it's nice that you can spam roll through the sludge).

After that I needed to think, so I went and shot arrows at the dragon on the High Wall for a while. It moved eventually and I got some stuff, including a Deep Battle Axe, which is probably a lot more meaningful than the axe I use currently.

So then I realized that I needed to go back to the crab swamp because there was probably more to that than just crabs. Sure enough, I got to an island in the middle and then had to deal with two fallen knights as well as the xanthous guy who decided to invade me again. That didn't go well. Those fallen knights are a pain in the butt. I got rid of them the second guy without a guy spamming magic at me, then I went down and rested at the bonfire, came back up, rekindled, and took the crown that is rightfully mine.

And then while I was trying on the crown, taking a screenshot, and also reading the description of the fallen set, I got invaded by a real person. And I really should have beaten him 'cause he was using just Fireball and a fire sword. He ended up riposting me without having parried me, so like. Whatever.

Now I'm at Farron Keep and I have to say, Mr. Farron, it's a bit of a shit keep. Poison water and slugs everywhere. Gonna assume the fires I'm meant to put out are the big ones on the towers along the wall and not the smaller ones on the islands. That's a problem for another day, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 April, 2016, 10:41:20 pm
Time for an update on Destiny, the game everyone really cares about.

Since the update dropped, I've managed to raise the light level across all my characters by 10 points. That's quite steady progress, and I've even picked up some nifty new stuff. More importantly, I've enjoyed the company of the disorderly folk I play that game with.

But anyway, back to the land of happy fun times.

Traversed the swamp without incident. Went up and killed the Stray Demon (he was super easy), so now I have Havel's Ring. Also I pledged myself to the Watchdog's of Farron because I don't mind playing servant to a big wolf. Though I'll probably end up switching if I find something cooler because it sounds like it's sort of a Forest Guardian deal where it only works while I'm actually in that area? I dunno.

Was kinda surprised and alarmed when I walked into the big hall and stepped right into a boss battle. I had 10k souls, but I had an easy enough time with the fight. More than anything so far it reminded me of Bloodborne, although the difference between having to wind up for a backstab and just being able to press a button in this game trivialized the fight. Still cool. I want that armor, but I've settled for Artorias' sword.

And now catacombs. Do skeletons actually come back to life in this game? The ones in the grave under the settlement didn't, and the first two I killed here didn't show any signs either. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 18 April, 2016, 11:25:17 pm
Time for an update on Destiny, the game everyone really cares about.

don't worry, the girl i like is slowly becoming obsessed with destiny so you're not the only font of destiny-related discussion in my life

p.s. you're like, the only other person i know who didn't have trouble with the abyss watchers

EDIT: oh wait, nevermind, UF didn't either. i know a long-time, outspoken and fairly elitist vet who died like, 10 times to those guys, so i guess that just colored my impression


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 April, 2016, 11:31:11 pm
It does prompt a degree of obsession, especially the newer you are to it.

And really? I had a tense moment during the first phase when there were 3 or 4 of them up, but I was able to roll away and get a drink in. While that happened, they got some hits in on each other, and I just had to go back and finish off the main dude. And like I said, I basically backstabbed him to death in the second phase. All of his attacks were pretty easy to roll through or strafe around.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 18 April, 2016, 11:39:32 pm
It's interesting that different bosses give different people trouble. I had trouble with Ebrietas, and Floyd didn't for example. But I also didn't mind fighting Laurence.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 April, 2016, 11:41:31 pm
Yeah. I mean the build you go with could definitely make a huge difference. I'm just surprised to hear not everyone blew through this fight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 April, 2016, 09:56:15 pm
Taking a slow pace through the catacombs. Made it to the first bonfire there, cleared out the hallway that has the skeleton wheels and slimes in it, and then turned around and went back to the shrine to spend souls. So when I pick up I'll just go the other way out of that sewer area, as that's the only way left. There's some odd stuff here with illusory walls that just end up forming a circular path, but oh well.

And man, they really nerfed the wheel guys, didn't they? I'd almost feel sorry for them but I'm remaining guarded enough if I see them later in a more threatening environment.

I almost leveled up but then I checked the shop lady and as I guessed, she's selling the Undead Legion set. It's expensive but I went ahead and bought the chest piece and it's pretty awesome on its own. Will definitely invest in the rest of the set. Also I have a Carthus ring that makes my rolls all cloudy, which might be useless since I'm only mid-rolling? Still looks cool so I'm going with it for now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 April, 2016, 10:12:40 pm
Taking a slow pace through the catacombs. Made it to the first bonfire there, cleared out the hallway that has the skeleton wheels and slimes in it, and then turned around and went back to the shrine to spend souls. So when I pick up I'll just go the other way out of that sewer area, as that's the only way left. There's some odd stuff here with illusory walls that just end up forming a circular path, but oh well.

And man, they really nerfed the wheel guys, didn't they? I'd almost feel sorry for them but I'm remaining guarded enough if I see them later in a more threatening environment.

I almost leveled up but then I checked the shop lady and as I guessed, she's selling the Undead Legion set. It's expensive but I went ahead and bought the chest piece and it's pretty awesome on its own. Will definitely invest in the rest of the set. Also I have a Carthus ring that makes my rolls all cloudy, which might be useless since I'm only mid-rolling? Still looks cool so I'm going with it for now.

They were pretty badly nerfed in Dark Souls 2. I'm glad they stayed that way. Also did you get the Farron Greatsword? Because you totally should.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 April, 2016, 10:24:00 pm
I got one of them. Whichever one scales to STR, the one without the secondary hook thing. I would have definitely gotten the other one if I was running a DEX build though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 20 April, 2016, 10:27:29 pm
Also did you get the Farron Greatsword? Because you totally should.

i like how you're basically asking everyone this


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 April, 2016, 10:51:25 pm
Youef's favorite weapon I guess?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 21 April, 2016, 02:07:43 am
hell yeah, I love it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 April, 2016, 08:31:03 am
Well I got the Wolf Knight's Greatsword instead, so whoops.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 April, 2016, 06:37:18 pm
I think of all the bosses to appear in a trailer, High Lord Wolnir was the most disappointing to actually fight. I was expecting a second phase after I broke the last bracelet. He had a nice entrance at least, and I had enough souls afterward to buy the rest of the Undead Legion armor. I also hung out afterward and helped two other dudes beat him. I have a handful of sunlight medallions now but I don't know what to do with them? Not like I have enough faith to use the lightning spears anyway.

The four-eyed beast on the bridge into Irythyl killed me more than anything else in the game so far. Ferocious creature, and it didn't really occur to me that I could run away. Got him down once I found my patience and stopped being greedy.

Irythyl itself is pretty cool. Getting some Anor Londo vibes just with the whole silhouette of the place walking in, and then the eerie knights walking around. Then there's the ghost dude that have a passing resemblance to the humanity sprites from Oolacile. I found one bonfire at the Church of Yorshka, and while there's some stairs that go up, I went out the other way and ended up in a cellar with more ghouls, then eventually got down to the river and made it all the way to another bonfire at the Distant Manor. Gonna backtrack and go up those stairs in the Church before I go down from the other place, but for now I'm taking a break.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 April, 2016, 12:19:49 am
Ventured a bit further. I get the feeling there's some kind of secret in the Church of Yorshka but I can't figure it out. There are notes in a corner talking about an illusion, but I've hit every wall and nothing happens. There's also the tower which appears to be a dead end but has a platform higher that I can't reach. It's a dead end for now.

So I went back to the distant manor bonfire but backtracked to go underneath the city, fighting through a waterlogged cellar full of spider ladies. Ended up in a house with old Silver Knights, and got a nice surprise from my old friend the great archer. None of those guys were messing around, but I walked out with the Leo Ring and Smough's Hammer.

The invader outside was pretty tricky, but I killed him on my second try and made my way up to a shortcut that links back to the Church of Yorshka.

After that I went back to the Distant Manor and actually went down the stairs. Came out the other side and was invaded again, but that dude was kind enough to roll off a cliff. So that way lies the Irithyll (spelled correctly now) Dungeon. And it creeps me out so I think I'll go back the other way tomorrow.


Also, the Crestfallen Knight has disappeared from the shrine and has been replaced by some dick named Leonhard. He gave me orbs to go invade people, but I'm like "naaah." But then I came back later and he seemed to think I'd been using them, and gave me a key that I have no idea where it goes. Somewhere back on the High Wall by the sound of it.

And as just a general thought, I feel like there are a lot of bonfires in this game. Like the stretch of High Lord Wolnir > Irithyll of the Boreal Valley > Central Irithyll was just a bit silly. I can kind of see why logically it made sense to put them in those locations, but with so little distance between each of them, it's just a bit odd.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 April, 2016, 12:01:13 pm
Ventured a bit further. I get the feeling there's some kind of secret in the Church of Yorshka but I can't figure it out. There are notes in a corner talking about an illusion, but I've hit every wall and nothing happens. There's also the tower which appears to be a dead end but has a platform higher that I can't reach. It's a dead end for now.

So I went back to the distant manor bonfire but backtracked to go underneath the city, fighting through a waterlogged cellar full of spider ladies. Ended up in a house with old Silver Knights, and got a nice surprise from my old friend the great archer. None of those guys were messing around, but I walked out with the Leo Ring and Smough's Hammer.

The invader outside was pretty tricky, but I killed him on my second try and made my way up to a shortcut that links back to the Church of Yorshka.

After that I went back to the Distant Manor and actually went down the stairs. Came out the other side and was invaded again, but that dude was kind enough to roll off a cliff. So that way lies the Irithyll (spelled correctly now) Dungeon. And it creeps me out so I think I'll go back the other way tomorrow.


Also, the Crestfallen Knight has disappeared from the shrine and has been replaced by some dick named Leonhard. He gave me orbs to go invade people, but I'm like "naaah." But then I came back later and he seemed to think I'd been using them, and gave me a key that I have no idea where it goes. Somewhere back on the High Wall by the sound of it.

And as just a general thought, I feel like there are a lot of bonfires in this game. Like the stretch of High Lord Wolnir > Irithyll of the Boreal Valley > Central Irithyll was just a bit silly. I can kind of see why logically it made sense to put them in those locations, but with so little distance between each of them, it's just a bit odd.

I felt the same about the bonfires too. They didn't really need the bonfire that appears right after you show up in Irithyll. It also reminded me of Bloodborne's DLC, where there were two lanterns literally right next to each other, but I guess it was nice not having to make such a long trek back to Maria.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 April, 2016, 02:32:56 pm
Phew. Took down the Pontiff. My favorite fight so far.

He was wiping the cathedral floor with me for the first six or so attempts, and then I figured out his first phase. Classic counterintuition of needing to be close to him so that his swings go over your head. And then he got his second phase with the whole duplicate thing, and it took probably another six or so tries before I figured out what to do with that. First I tried keeping my distance and trying to hit both of them with fireballs, but that didn't work because he just made another one.

So I ended up beating him the same way I've beaten everything else. Two handed, Warcry, wail on him while he's charging up the duplicate. That way it had lower health and I ended up killing it with collateral damage. He made another one, but by then I only needed to hit him another two times.

Really awesome. Definitely think I'll hang out and do some co-op on him for a bit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 23 April, 2016, 03:11:26 pm
It's interesting that different bosses give different people trouble. I had trouble with Ebrietas, and Floyd didn't for example. But I also didn't mind fighting Laurence.

i wanted to say this back then, and now that you've beaten sulyvahn, i actually can now: i know a guy who struggled real hard on abyss watchers, but went "yeah, sulyvahn was easy". even with the above quote in mind, there's just so much cognitive dissonance there. can't imagine someone struggling to abyss watchers and not sulyvahn.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 April, 2016, 03:28:23 pm
That doesn't even begin to make sense.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 April, 2016, 04:10:47 pm
Yeah, I really dug Pontiff Sulyvahn's fight. It almost felt like I had to learn how to be as unpredictable as he was.

I also cannot fathom how anyone can have an easier time with Sulyvahn than the Abyss Watchers. I guess that's Souls for you.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 April, 2016, 12:50:50 am
Would down tonight just putting my sign down in front of Sulyvahn's door and being summoned instantly. It's not like he's an auto win, even when summoning 3 phantoms (which I think is an absurd thing). He just has so much health when you fight him with more than one other person. Still ended up with a bunch of medals and enough souls to level up twice. I'm level 55 now, 23 hours in. Not sure exactly how far I am into the game, but I've still only fought the one Lord of Cinder, so yeah.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 April, 2016, 10:55:59 pm
Well would you look at what they were hiding up there beyond the mist.

I mentioned it before but man the silver knights do not mess around in this game. The remix of the Londo archers wasn't nearly as bad, but with their upgraded moveset, it's still perilous to underestimate the knights.

I honestly expected Gwyndolin to show up when I was walking down the hallway to Gwyn's tomb, but there was only the Darkmoon armor. Little did I know....

Finding the Giant blacksmith and then later talking to Andre about it later made me deeply sad for some reason. It's so unclear how much time has passed, although if the castle is all that's left of Anor Londo (where's the rest of that city? Where's the huge wall?) and Lothric and the High Wall are off down to the south there, then how much has the actual geology of the reason been transformed through the centuries? Really interesting questions, and I'd like to see someone do an overlay of the maps of Lothric and Lordran that's centered upon the Londo castle, just to try and answer some of those questions.

Moving on into the castle itself, I shuddered a bit when I saw fog in front of that door. Someone left a "Praise the Sun?" message where Solaire's sign would have been. And then that beast fell down from the ceiling, nearly on top of me. Luckily I was able to get the door open and lure it out onto the steps.

Sidenote, there's like a basement or something that had two of those monsters from the bridge into Irithyll? I nope'd out of there really fast. Not gonna deal with them until later.

And then Aldrich. My oh my. I died once because I got caught in his sword rain attack, like full in the face. Between tries a friend of mine said "Did you notice what he looked like?" and I hadn't really gotten a good look at him then. Took him down on the second try, though, and yeah. What with all the enemies that are tied to him and various item descriptions and just how terrible the Cathedral of the Deep was, there's a chance he's the most terrible thing I've killed so far. Alas, Gwyndolin. That poor, poor femboy.

I think it would probably be worth my time to do a spot of backtracking now before I go up to the elevators and see what's become of the Princess' chambers. Might also go venture into the Irithyll Dungeon now.

I was also alarmed to find that one of my merchants had died. The sorcerer hermit was dead, and I felt bad because I hadn't checked on him that regularly because, well, I don't use magic. It's unclear to me whether he died or if he was murdered, and I immediately went to check if that Leonhard bastard was still around. He wasn't, but I went down to the cell and killed the "last" Darkwraith (aside from the two that keep showing up in Farron Keep). That prompted him to come back, and uh.... yeah I killed him. He was talking about Rosaria, and I just couldn't risk letting him go if he was the one who was killing people. I don't want the scary guy coming after me if Irina were to be harmed.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 24 April, 2016, 11:02:00 pm
shedding a tear for my waifu


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 April, 2016, 10:38:04 pm
Uuuuugh.

I should have just gone up to Gwynevere's chamber first thing because I ended up going there later and it was a hugely anticlimactic way to end my evening.

I think Irithyll Dungeon permanently raised my blood pressure. Enemies that decrease your entire health bar while they have line of sight on you? Great. They roam in packs of three to eight? Fantastic. Mimics that walk on four legs (except for when they don't) and surprise basilisks? Spectacular. Also weird mutant dragon things.

The level is spectacularly designed, for sure. It's like Miyazaki said "Hmm, I think I'm going to try and outdo Latria 1 and make it more terrifying, dread-enducing, and panicking." Job well done. And this is of all times when the game decides to get stingy with bonfires. The only thing I don't really approve of are the cheap jump scares off of the screaming items. That doesn't really fit into Souls games, imo.

I've tip-toed into the Profaned Capital. Went off into the side area that had, among other things, a toxic sludge pit with those spider ladies in it. Also a giant hand monster. And a pretty tough sorcerer guy. Got everything I consider worth getting out of there, including the Jailer's key ring (which I guess I'll go back and use at some point. That sleeping giant can keep whatever's down around his feet.)

So whenever I pick back up, I'll head down the other way toward that bowl torch thing that kinda looks like the Lordvessel but is probably just a bowl torch thing. This place has to be the top of Izalith or the Kiln or something. If Anor Londo is up there then it only makes sense that one of those is down here.

Oh and another thing: I sent Greirat to pillage Irithyll. He hasn't come back. I get the feeling I've killed a lot of people due to neglect.


Iron Banner starts tomorrow for Destiny, so I'll probably be heavy into that for a few days. Also might go see Jungle Book one night this week. Probably will resume this near the weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 April, 2016, 05:46:19 am
yeah that area gave me an aneurysm more than once, had a good old time there for sure


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 26 April, 2016, 01:14:05 pm
i kinda like how neither sulyvahn nor aldrich could kill me even once on my first playthrough, but their shitty little prison got me like, 20 times.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 April, 2016, 01:25:24 pm
the tunnel with the basilisks and the mimic killed me probably 5 times alone

my low point was actually killing all the jailers on the bottom floor and then dying to the stupid crucifix guy (whose cell contained nothing)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 April, 2016, 05:29:17 pm
the tunnel with the basilisks and the mimic killed me probably 5 times alone

my low point was actually killing all the jailers on the bottom floor and then dying to the stupid crucifix guy (whose cell contained nothing)

I immediately ran away after seeing the basilisks spawn behind me. I ditched the mimic and fought it later.

I wasted so many arrows on those jailers, but apparently you can also get the crucifix guy to attack them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 April, 2016, 05:46:47 pm
the tunnel with the basilisks and the mimic killed me probably 5 times alone

my low point was actually killing all the jailers on the bottom floor and then dying to the stupid crucifix guy (whose cell contained nothing)

I immediately ran away after seeing the basilisks spawn behind me. I ditched the mimic and fought it later.

I wasted so many arrows on those jailers, but apparently you can also get the crucifix guy to attack them.

I heard them but couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from, and then I rolled into them as I was dodging away from the mimic. The thing didn't even have a useful item.

and that would only be so helpful given he's locked away when you first get there


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 May, 2016, 10:28:14 pm
"You sure play a lot of Destiny for someone who owns Dark Souls III," said a friend of mine.

You might have a point, but then you haven't reaped the gains of so many infusions of Haakon's Hatchet, Tormod's Bellows, and Iron Camelot class items. After a week rekindling my desire to be at least somewhat competent in the Crucible, I emerge with none of my three characters below Light Level 331. This is a triumph, indeed.

But now I must return to the coterminous lands of the Lords of Cinder.

We resume in the Profaned Capital where the stairs leading down from the cool brazier thing seemingly dead ends. I can't help but shake the feeling there's a way to go further down, but I haven't put too much mind to discovering how this might be done.

I sort of wish Yhorm hadn't been a gimmick fight, but at least it was pretty cool. It was just an easy gimmick fight at that, once I figured out how the damn sword worked. This fight was also a nice way of saying "Hope you've played Demons' Souls lol"

But then it was over and I was whisked off back to Lothric Castle. I kinda wanted to leave the room without actually triggering the Dancer, what with all the souls I had still from Yhorm, but I made the mistake of approaching the statue first. And this wasn't one of my one-fight wonders, though I did actually do a much better job in the first try than the next several, probably because I was being a lot more careful.

I had to switch to my axe to beat her just for faster hits and better stamina management. One thing's for sure, that fight is truly a dance, not that so many other Souls fights aren't. Quite beautiful.

I did three co-op fights afterward, two of them successful. I've got 10 sunlight medallions now, though I still have no clue how to use them. Only fitting I guess.

Went up to the first bonfire in the castle, but I've gotta backtrack and see what was down the stairs to the left before I go much further. I should really do some extended retreading of other areas when I get a chance, too. But then maybe I can just save that for later. I heard this game actually doesn't send you directly to NG+, so I might take advantage of that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 May, 2016, 10:41:03 pm
Oh, so I don't really know how the motion controls of the PS4 controller work with the gesture triggers, so sometimes I just randomly do a gesture. And whatever motion I made after beating the Dancer caused me to do the Collapse gesture. Pretty perfect.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 May, 2016, 05:44:03 am
"You sure play a lot of Destiny for someone who owns Dark Souls III," said a friend of mine.

You might have a point, but then you haven't reaped the gains of so many infusions of Haakon's Hatchet, Tormod's Bellows, and Iron Camelot class items. After a week rekindling my desire to be at least somewhat competent in the Crucible, I emerge with none of my three characters below Light Level 331. This is a triumph, indeed.

But now I must return to the coterminous lands of the Lords of Cinder.

We resume in the Profaned Capital where the stairs leading down from the cool brazier thing seemingly dead ends. I can't help but shake the feeling there's a way to go further down, but I haven't put too much mind to discovering how this might be done.

I sort of wish Yhorm hadn't been a gimmick fight, but at least it was pretty cool. It was just an easy gimmick fight at that, once I figured out how the damn sword worked. This fight was also a nice way of saying "Hope you've played Demons' Souls lol"

But then it was over and I was whisked off back to Lothric Castle. I kinda wanted to leave the room without actually triggering the Dancer, what with all the souls I had still from Yhorm, but I made the mistake of approaching the statue first. And this wasn't one of my one-fight wonders, though I did actually do a much better job in the first try than the next several, probably because I was being a lot more careful.

I had to switch to my axe to beat her just for faster hits and better stamina management. One thing's for sure, that fight is truly a dance, not that so many other Souls fights aren't. Quite beautiful.

I did three co-op fights afterward, two of them successful. I've got 10 sunlight medallions now, though I still have no clue how to use them. Only fitting I guess.

Went up to the first bonfire in the castle, but I've gotta backtrack and see what was down the stairs to the left before I go much further. I should really do some extended retreading of other areas when I get a chance, too. But then maybe I can just save that for later. I heard this game actually doesn't send you directly to NG+, so I might take advantage of that.


it doesn't send you directly to ng+ which is great, i was under the impression they had changed from II only to be presently suprised


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 May, 2016, 09:18:25 am
Cool. So maybe I'll just save exploration for then. I've more or less come to peace with botching all the questlines anyway. Or just missing them entirely.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 May, 2016, 01:16:38 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axojp5Pk51M


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 03 May, 2016, 01:36:21 pm
afro got more concords by fucking around and being a liability than i ever did actually trying


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 May, 2016, 01:53:58 pm
pretty much exactly what you would expect


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 04 May, 2016, 02:06:41 pm
are you getting Overwatch, random?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 May, 2016, 06:19:27 pm
I haven't really decided. I might try out the beta this weekend, but I've never bought a game that was exclusively multiplayer/PvP. I dig the characters, though, and it looks pretty fun. I just don't know how long it would be fun for me personally.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 May, 2016, 10:35:48 pm
Judgment isn't going so well this time....

True to my word, I went back down the left from the Dancer bonfire and ended up in the Consumed King's Garden. It was nice to find out that those giant snake monster things don't like fire. The King himself (I can't recall how to spell his name right now) got me once on what I think was a bullshit hit mid-roll, but maybe I mistimed it. Got him the second time without much fuss though.

So then I went through the door behind him and was like "What could be down here? Could it be Izalith?" (I'm still trying to figure out how to get to Izalith).

Nope. No. It's just the beginning of the game, but in super spooky darkness. I guess that big castle you can see from the shrine is in fact Lothric Castle, counter to my earlier assumptions that the shrine was further away from Lothric. But then when I go back to the main shrine bonfire, it's still daytime there. Not sure what's going on with that, but I suppose time still moves in mysterious ways through these lands.

And then suddenly Champion Gundyr, and man. I dunno. I can get him to the second phase but then he's just a bit overwhelming. The runback to him is also kinda annoying because of the grave wardens and the stronger-than-normal hollows. I dunno if I'm overleveled or just thinking about this fight wrong. He's tough to get close to and seems capable of punishing everything. It might just be a fight I really have to draw out and chip away at him.

I'll try him again tomorrow after I get home from Civil War, but it might be the kind of thing I come back to once I've leveled up a few more times.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 May, 2016, 11:40:49 pm
I'm fearful for what may happen now.

I bested the Champion, though it did not come easily. A true test of patience, and a fight where excessive aggression gets you killed.

Beyond there.... it doesn't really get any better does it? Lots of old items, lots of odd ends. And black knights all around. It seems like this would be the darkest timeline, literally....

Though now I may have doomed my own. I even read the description, and yet I gave eyes to the firekeeper. She asked if I wanted to see a world without fire, and I was too weak to say yes. Now she wants me to kill her, and I think I'm too weak to do that, too. The music has changed and her message is ominous, ominous even as the one of the shrine maiden in the darkness.

I've only really got one choice now, and that's to return to Lothric Castle and finish what is to be finished.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 12:01:43 am
Fine, don't say anything, Youef. :u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 07:17:45 am
champion was wacky, the fucking john cena shoulder block combo felt like it would never end


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 08:31:26 am
i got hit entirely too many times by the rocks that fly out when he pulls the glaive back from that one move

Also I resolved in the shower this morning that I'll have to man up and kill her. Just gonna wait to do it. Don't want to risk losing my means of leveling up until I'm more confident I'm at the end.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 01:16:42 pm
I completely forgot about that move until you mentioned it and then it came roaring back to me. I remember wiping the floor with him when I did actually beat him, but the first few tries were really rough once he gets to the second phase.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 May, 2016, 01:20:59 pm
I personally hate Gundyr's charging attack the most: seems to have obscene tracking so you can't just roll to the side to trivialize it like with most attacks of that type, and I don't know why.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 01:53:23 pm
Yeah, that probably got me more than anything, especially because he likes to do it after the stomp move that auto-staggers you.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 May, 2016, 05:29:17 pm
I recently fought Champion Gundyr on NG+, and the fight was immensely more satisfying. It wasn't any different of course, but I was playing more aggressively. It felt somehow more strategic. Really dig that fight. Iudex was also good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 05:35:57 pm
I recently fought Champion Gundyr on NG+, and the fight was immensely more satisfying. It wasn't any different of course, but I was playing more aggressively. It felt somehow more strategic. Really dig that fight. Iudex was also good.

i like iudex more since he turns into a t-rex worm monster


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 May, 2016, 06:07:20 pm
I recently fought Champion Gundyr on NG+, and the fight was immensely more satisfying. It wasn't any different of course, but I was playing more aggressively. It felt somehow more strategic. Really dig that fight. Iudex was also good.

i like iudex more since he turns into a t-rex worm monster
yeah, I love that enemy design in general even when they **** me up


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 06:55:28 pm
:u

Fought up through the castle a bit. Killed one of the dragons, got wrecked by the greatsword knights a few times, lost 40k souls. Stopped to go get dinner once I made it to a fog door on a bridge.

And I'm also totally down for 5-man Overwatch, so just message me when everyone is ready.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 07:01:11 pm
only a little bit of installing left on my end and i'll be good to go

i should probably say i'm terrible and competitive fpses


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 06 May, 2016, 07:10:57 pm
I'll be here.

Don't worry. I'm getting my ass kicked as Winston right now lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Fuuka Yamagishi on 06 May, 2016, 07:13:32 pm
i'm installing right now still


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 06 May, 2016, 07:26:55 pm
if only there was cross play


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 May, 2016, 07:31:30 pm
y'all need PCs


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 07:34:32 pm
gross


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Fuuka Yamagishi on 06 May, 2016, 07:50:35 pm
well i mean i could download it on my laptop, no guarantees it'll run


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 06 May, 2016, 07:58:54 pm
y'all need PCs
pcs is alls i gots


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 08:38:38 pm
I think a PC is definitely worth having.

Also I killed that next boss, so I'm ready to play.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 May, 2016, 08:38:55 pm
never get to play bloodborne or persona 5


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 08:40:59 pm
I think a PC is definitely worth having.

Also I killed that next boss, so I'm ready to play.

me and mattress are playin right now so he should send a message or whatever


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 06 May, 2016, 09:35:39 pm
That was a close game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 09:53:41 pm
fucking ghetto_sketchers


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 09:58:45 pm
i dislike that guy

I got the play of the game though :D


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 10:00:32 pm
yeah fuck that dude

i did that once when no one was on to see it *sadface*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 10:01:33 pm
woah your voice is not what i expected

*no mic*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 May, 2016, 10:05:32 pm
given what i imagine you imagined his voice sounded like, i am surprised too


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 10:12:52 pm
:u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 10:31:24 pm
this has been a thrill, we should def do it again if anyone gets the game post beta


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 10:32:04 pm
I think there's a decent chance I will. Might not be right when it comes out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 May, 2016, 10:33:45 pm
Tonight has gone a long way in securing my purchase.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 06 May, 2016, 10:45:43 pm
Yea I have work in the morning so I'm out for tonight. Anytime you guys wanna play let me know, cause that was extremely enjoyable.

Even the parts where I got chained by Roadhog and blasted in the face numerous times


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 May, 2016, 11:07:14 pm
yeah fuck that thing

But yeah, if all of you guys pick it up, I could probably see myself doing the same.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 May, 2016, 12:34:21 am
woah your voice is not what i expected

*no mic*
yeah his voice wasn't what i expected either


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 May, 2016, 01:23:02 am
What is it deeper? :U

Ok so yeah, the Dragonslayer Armour was a cool fight, though not terribly challenging. I made the mistake of calling him Ornstein to my friend who thinks he knows everything about the game and he was liek "What? Ornstein? It's completely different." And I'm like, "please." The soul says he's not in there but it's definitely his armor all warped and stuff. It's got the color, the texture, the lightning, and even the axe looks like it was made from his spear if you inspect it at Ludleth. The heritage of all of Gwyn's nights have been at least plausibly shown in this game. There's the giant archer, the Abyss Watchers who explicitly follow in the footsteps of Artorias, the Dancer that looks heavily inspired by Ciaran (even if her set and soul suggests more of a relation to Gwynevere and the Princess Guard), and now this Dragonslayer Armour.

Mini rant over. But as an aside and addendum, why put the Sunlight Warrior statue there of all places? So late in the game? Sure you find the spear miracle earlier if you want it, but like. Why make this one covenant wait until the end, especially if you're going to give them a miracle that would buff cooperation?

Uuuuugh, archives. I knew I'd have to fight another Crystal Sage, but I somehow forgot. I definitely spent ten minutes arcing arrows over the railing to end him. But even so, that familiar Dark Souls stress started creeping in as I kept running from fucking cursed book shelves. And why is every crystal lizard a trap now?

The capstone of the night, the Grand Archives Gank Squad, or I suppose the King's Black Hands. Thank god they stay dead. I kamikaze'd the guy with the paired swords first, then came back and dealt with the dude with the great axe, and finally the mage. Took the elevator back down and collapsed.

Anyone want to give me an idea of how much I've got left? Like, is the end of the game at the top of this castle, or are there trials yet to discover?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 May, 2016, 08:18:22 am
much deeper

You're close to the end but you do have one other area that you haven't done yet if I remember right. Getting to it is a little obtuse.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 07 May, 2016, 09:17:18 am
much deeper

oh


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 May, 2016, 11:26:48 am
You're close to the end but you do have one other area that you haven't done yet if I remember right. Getting to it is a little obtuse.
I almost missed it and went straight for the final boss, so yeah. It's not very clear how to get there without looking it up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 May, 2016, 12:27:10 pm

eyyyy


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 May, 2016, 12:44:51 pm
You're close to the end but you do have one other area that you haven't done yet if I remember right. Getting to it is a little obtuse.
I almost missed it and went straight for the final boss, so yeah. It's not very clear how to get there without looking it up.
I can already guess what it is, and if that's the case then I'll probably just go to it after I beat the main stuff.

weh


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 May, 2016, 07:06:56 pm
Found out that my friend completely missed the elevator off to the right of the Twin Princes, so he was running all the way across that bridge from the Grand Archives every time he lost to them. Delicious Schadenfreude.

It took me a few times to beat them just to learn their moves, but I'm definitely overleveled at 89. And a +10 Brigand Axe just made really short work of them.

Now I'm doing a spot of co-op, and I'll be on my way to see whatever comes next.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 07 May, 2016, 07:24:40 pm
Lothric is the best new character of Dark Souls 3


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 May, 2016, 09:47:54 pm
Lothric is the best new character of Dark Souls 3
prime maniac waifu material

I will preface by saying that I've gone back and opened the areas I missed. I gotta say, I spent a while looking down into that pit in the catacombs wondering how to get down there, but I never once saw the prompt to climb down the bridge. I killed the stray demon in about ten hits, so I have a feeling I might be pretty sad when the stuff down there is way too easy.

I also submit again that From needs to add a "New" tab to inventory because after beating Oceiros, I picked up that dragon gesture and could never figure out what it was or where it went. I had also forgotten about the little ledge with the guys praying to the mountain in the Irithyll Dungeon. But now I've been to Archdragon Peak and slain the Ancient Wyvern. Gimmick fight is gimmick.

So I'll go back and do that stuff tomorrow or Monday. But in the meantime....

I have ended the fire.

As I was waiting outside of Lothric's chamber to be summoned, I sat there looking at the blackened sun, and I realized just how much like the dark sign and eclipse looks. We spend our days praising the sun, what may very well be the source of that first flame. But if the curse of the undead is to live as long as the fire does, then the first must be put to rest so that we can to.

With that said, I want to call shenanigans on the Soul of Cinder's build. That dude is INT, DEX, STR, FTH, everything. Didn't know you could max-max in this game.

Seriously, though, when I depleted his health the first time and he put his sword into the ground, and then the music start playing I was just like "WHAT. OH. OH GOD." And then I failed all of my rolls because I'm awful at the Gwyn fight.

But then I beat him and I summoned the firekeeper, and that was that.

Good video game. And I've evidently missed some significant areas, so I'm glad there's some more work to be done.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 May, 2016, 02:17:43 am
I will preface by saying that I've gone back and opened the areas I missed. I gotta say, I spent a while looking down into that pit in the catacombs wondering how to get down there, but I never once saw the prompt to climb down the bridge. I killed the stray demon in about ten hits, so I have a feeling I might be pretty sad when the stuff down there is way too easy.

I also submit again that From needs to add a "New" tab to inventory because after beating Oceiros, I picked up that dragon gesture and could never figure out what it was or where it went. I had also forgotten about the little ledge with the guys praying to the mountain in the Irithyll Dungeon. But now I've been to Archdragon Peak and slain the Ancient Wyvern. Gimmick fight is gimmick.

So I'll go back and do that stuff tomorrow or Monday. But in the meantime....

I have ended the fire.

As I was waiting outside of Lothric's chamber to be summoned, I sat there looking at the blackened sun, and I realized just how much like the dark sign and eclipse looks. We spend our days praising the sun, what may very well be the source of that first flame. But if the curse of the undead is to live as long as the fire does, then the first must be put to rest so that we can to.

With that said, I want to call shenanigans on the Soul of Cinder's build. That dude is INT, DEX, STR, FTH, everything. Didn't know you could max-max in this game.

Seriously, though, when I depleted his health the first time and he put his sword into the ground, and then the music start playing I was just like "WHAT. OH. OH GOD." And then I failed all of my rolls because I'm awful at the Gwyn fight.

But then I beat him and I summoned the firekeeper, and that was that.

Good video game. And I've evidently missed some significant areas, so I'm glad there's some more work to be done.

Have fun with the next fight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 May, 2016, 09:04:03 am
Lothric is the best new character of Dark Souls 3

i'm not surprised by this statement

i also did not know about an elevator for that fight whoops


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 May, 2016, 10:15:43 am
prime maniac waifu material

i'm not surprised by this statement

lol

i didn't know about the elevator until after i finished the boss, but they only took two tries so


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 May, 2016, 02:00:11 pm
does that mean you guys missed the slab?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 May, 2016, 02:05:56 pm
missed it on the first two playthroughs, and just haplessly wandered in on it for the third. you get a couple of those though, thankfully.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 May, 2016, 02:37:44 pm
I found a slab but I don't think it was that one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 May, 2016, 03:07:49 pm
ahh. It's the only one I've found so far.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 May, 2016, 03:26:13 pm
Typically the earliest one you get is towards the end of Siegward's questline, but you may or may not have to be following a guide to pick that one up. I didn't get it, myself. There's also another one right outside of Lorian and Lothric's boss room that requires you to defeat a rather powerful group of enemies. Also missed that one the first go.

I kept my weapons at +5 for the sake of matchmaking on my last playthrough, so I never got a chance to use any of the three I had lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 May, 2016, 06:26:28 pm
Well I just found two more, one next to Havel, and one that I bought from the shrine maiden after giving her some ash. Where is this group of enemies before the princes? I killed everything on that bridge the first time.

Old Demon King was not meant to be fought at Level 96. Looted all the stuff down there that I could find. Lots of pyromancy stuff. Also killed Tsorig. That giant ballista thing is rad.

Archdragon Peak seems more like a late late endgame area. Those dragon guys are exhausting, and the whole thing with the priests summoning in dudes got old pretty fast.

I'm gonna have to figure out the Nameless King tomorrow. I need way more lightning resistance than what I had after killing his mount. That one fire attack it does when you get to close to its legs is problematic, too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 May, 2016, 08:33:48 pm
Where is this group of enemies before the princes? I killed everything on that bridge the first time.

When you first get on that bridge after the part with that three-man gank squad, there's a staircase to your left. Has some cool stuff, yet somehow I completely missed it on my first two runs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 May, 2016, 10:44:06 pm
Where is this group of enemies before the princes? I killed everything on that bridge the first time.

When you first get on that bridge after the part with that three-man gank squad, there's a staircase to your left. Has some cool stuff, yet somehow I completely missed it on my first two runs.
Ohh, the winged knights. Ok yeah, I went up there and got a bunch of stuff, but I didn't kill all of them because I couldn't be fucked. That would explain why I didn't get it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 May, 2016, 09:43:30 pm
Today wasn't the day.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 09 May, 2016, 10:57:41 pm
tragic


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 May, 2016, 08:19:56 am
Like I can get through the first phase near flawlessly, but I was just **** up all of my rolls in the second phase, and he can kill me in about 3 hits, easy. I never even got him to the point he was using his big lightning attacks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 May, 2016, 11:43:40 am
Like I can get through the first phase near flawlessly, but I was just **** up all of my rolls in the second phase, and he can kill me in about 3 hits, easy. I never even got him to the point he was using his big lightning attacks.

This was my experience as well!


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 May, 2016, 01:11:42 pm
Sounds pretty standard. The first phase became easy, second phase was a bi(http://)tch for me as well.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 10 May, 2016, 01:21:37 pm
this mostly doesn't describe me, but he did stall me for like, an hour or two


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 May, 2016, 01:38:36 pm
i wish i was as good as maniac senpai


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 10 May, 2016, 01:57:39 pm
lol

i did get into an argument that trailed into a vicious rant about how terrible that boss is and how much i hate him that was instigated by a friend somehow thinking that nameless king wasn't as hard as king of storms, though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 May, 2016, 08:31:21 pm
Yatta.

I too reached that point of metaphysical despair where I began to wonder if it was even within me to defeat him. It was an especially painful moment because I wanted so badly to call this my favorite boss, but I knew I couldn't do that unless I beat him. But then I had a really good run and something clicked, and I knew what to do.

I ended up taking a much more passive approach to the fight, keeping a mid-range distance and strafing or backpedaling. I wanted to bait out two of his attacks specifically, the one where he rushes off to the left and charges in, and the one where he pulls back into the air and also charges in (an attack Logarius taught me to dodge). Everything else I just dodged away. Then when he came to the second phase, I'd also wait for him to do the lightning strike attack and get in two hits that way. Basically by never approaching and waiting for attacks I knew I could dodge, I was able to chip away at him with few incidents, though I had one close call where he threw in an unexpected mixup.


So with that I am officially done with my first playthrough. It took me 48 hours and 37 minutes to get to this point, and I got to level 97, which I can appreciate is pretty high. I almost made the mistake of saying I didn't do any grinding, but that's not true because of the times I stopped and did co-op with strangers, which was pretty much anytime I really liked a boss. Tried that once with the Nameless King and then realized that is not a fight you want to do with randos.

But yeah, I stand by what I said. Really good game. I'm like Youef in that I expected to come out of it still liking Bloodborne more, but I'm not sure now. I think this probably isn't as good as the first game, but I also think I might have enjoyed playing this one more. It'll probably take some time for my feelings to really crystallize.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 10 May, 2016, 09:59:56 pm
Basically, Souls has consistently had this one weakness where human-shaped knight enemies always have a charge attack for when you get some distance on them that leaves them open and is super easy to predict and dodge. For all the rumbling of how hard False King and Artorias were, that was their respective weaknesses. And then Dark Souls 2 happened and like every boss was human-shaped and most had that weakness, and some bosses were virtually impossible to safely approach with slower weapons without that strategy like Sir Alonne. I think Dark Souls 3 actually did an admirable job of avoiding it where no humanoid boss really is much easier to deal with if you keep at a distance and wait for them to attack you at a range (well, Sulyvahn's second half was, but for entirely different reasons), but Nameless King had that weakness in spades. Doesn't help he's an insurmountable pain in the ass to deal with using any other strategy, too.

Really lame way to deal with a boss, honestly, especially when it's the ultra-hype bonus superboss of the game. He's probably not Ancient Dragon levels of awful, but I still think he's really lame.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 May, 2016, 10:15:21 pm
Basically, Souls has consistently had this one weakness where human-shaped knight enemies always have a charge attack for when you get some distance on them that leaves them open and is super easy to predict and dodge. For all the rumbling of how hard False King and Artorias were, that was their respective weaknesses. And then Dark Souls 2 happened and like every boss was human-shaped and most had that weakness, and some bosses were virtually impossible to safely approach with slower weapons without that strategy like Sir Alonne. I think Dark Souls 3 actually did an admirable job of avoiding it where no humanoid boss really is much easier to deal with if you keep at a distance and wait for them to attack you at a range (well, Sulyvahn's second half was, but for entirely different reasons), but Nameless King had that weakness in spades. Doesn't help he's an insurmountable pain in the ass to deal with using any other strategy, too.

Really lame way to deal with a boss, honestly, especially when it's the ultra-hype bonus superboss of the game. He's probably not Ancient Dragon levels of awful, but I still think he's really lame.

I will concede that I did not feel very cool beating him the way I did, and given time that probably does knock him down a few spots. But my appreciation goes beyond that because he looks badass, fights like a badass, has probably the best setpiece for an arena in the series (and this is a game and a series with some fantastic setpieces), and to top it all off I got Ornstein's stuff for winning, which ties him to another of my favorite characters. So it's the overall mystique that really does it for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 May, 2016, 09:30:06 am
I too reached that point of metaphysical despair where I began to wonder if it was even within me to defeat him. It was an especially painful moment because I wanted so badly to call this my favorite boss, but I knew I couldn't do that unless I beat him. But then I had a really good run and something clicked, and I knew what to do.


This was me too. I had lots of trouble with most of the bosses this time around but I was almost convinced this one would break me. My brother at one point had watched me play it for a long time and asked if it wad the final boss, which didn't help me confidence. But yeah, I loved this guy, behind only Ludwig and Kalameet for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 May, 2016, 09:49:55 am
I wish I had kept better track of how many attempts I made. It was just such a contrast for this guy compared to a fight like the Pontiff or the Dancer because of how little I would even get to damage him on a failed attempt. I think it was a lot like the Kalameet fight in that regard.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 May, 2016, 09:57:57 am
As far as what's next for me, I need to pick up Uncharted 4 at some point this week. I want to take my time with that given it's the last in the series and Naughty Dog games only come around once every several years. Gonna see if I can stretch it out over 3 or 4 days at least.

After that, I don't really have any solid commitments. I figure a mix of MGSV, Destiny, and DSIII should be healthy for the near future. XCOM 2 DLC comes out tomorrow but I don't think I'm ready to jump back into that just yet.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 May, 2016, 01:03:50 pm
I've been watching Only Afro's LP of DSIII as it goes up. It's as interesting to see the parts where experience saves his life as it is amusing to see the moments where ego gets him killed. Granted he started Deprived and was playing the japanese version, so there's more to it. The frequent JoJo references also add to the entertainment value.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 11 May, 2016, 03:30:19 pm
His Bloodborne run was also really good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 11 May, 2016, 03:51:33 pm
couldn't sit through it to be honest -- afro is clever and witty in premeditated affairs, but there's a lot of empty air when he's talking.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 May, 2016, 04:14:59 pm
his personality is an interesting one, certainly


part of me wishes he constantly put his voice through the giant dad filter though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 May, 2016, 04:47:20 pm
Uncharted 4 get, but I'm going to see Buckethead tonight so I probably won't start it until tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 14 May, 2016, 09:28:47 pm
Naughty Dog just effectively **** on everybody's couch and banged all of their wives with this game tbh





Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 May, 2016, 09:39:59 pm
I think I might wait for a price drop on UC4. I enjoyed 2 and 3, but I didn't play them more than once. Same with TLoU, actually.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 14 May, 2016, 10:03:57 pm
i played like, 3 hours of the first game, hated it, noticed that the second game still had a lot of what i hated about the first and just wrote off everything naughty dog ever produced from there onward


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 May, 2016, 10:27:09 pm
you don't like big strong handsome nathan drake frivolously killing hundreds of people while making witty remarks and having sex with every hot woman he encounters?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 May, 2016, 12:18:40 am
oh hey guys


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 15 May, 2016, 12:48:58 am
you don't like big strong handsome nathan drake

pretty down with th-

frivolously killing hundreds of people

:-\


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 May, 2016, 07:21:30 am
i have the trilogy that came with my ps4 but have never been able to will myself to play it

i can only associate naughty dog with crash and my mind will simply not allow me to do otherwise


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 15 May, 2016, 09:17:57 am
I think I might wait for a price drop on UC4. I enjoyed 2 and 3, but I didn't play them more than once. Same with TLoU, actually.
yea, I never played any of them more than once and this one will follow the trend.

doesn't really help that the game is abnormally long too (not in a bad way)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 May, 2016, 08:25:41 am
Taking my time with Uncharted. I think I'm on Chapter 17? Really enjoying it so far.

They fixed one of my biggest gripes with the last games, which is that you can now re-enter stealth if you break line of sight with the enemies. I have a lot more fun snapping necks than using any of the guns, so that's nice.

They did not fix one of my other biggest gripes, which is that collectibles still suck and are not really fun to try and find.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 May, 2016, 06:35:07 pm
Done with Uncharted. Good ending, good game. There's a multiplayer that's supposed to be pretty fun, but that's not why I bought the game so I dunno if I'll even touch it.

Guess the next question for me is whether or not I should pick up Overwatch this week.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 May, 2016, 07:30:57 am
doit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 22 May, 2016, 08:49:29 am
doit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 May, 2016, 03:29:30 pm
yeah i did it last night

saved like ten bucks thanks to amazon prime. should be here tuesday.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 May, 2016, 08:18:21 am
As I've played nothing but Overwatch for the past week, it occurs to me that I'm not really supposed to like games like this.

It has no single player component.
It has a story, but not one that has any impact on the game itself.
Progression is tied only to cosmetic appearance, and there's no perceived ownership over any character.
And it's an objective based shooter in the vein of TF2, a game that I have never had any interest in.

And yet I've played nothing but Overwatch for the past week, and it's some of the most fun I've had playing a game lately.

It feels great with really tight controls.
Every character is unique and fun in their own way (some more than others, certainly).
There's plenty of people saying this or that is imbalanced, but it's really pretty fair in practice. There's an answer to everything, you just have to be willing to adapt.
And losing, rather than making me frustrated to the point of quitting, makes me want to get better and improve.

I look at this, and I know it's only been a week, but it seems to me like Blizzard may have created the Super Smash Bros. of objective based hero shooters.

It's pretty neat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 31 May, 2016, 12:58:27 pm
I finally got back home and am gonna play it now.

let's play rondam

you too mm and floyd


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 May, 2016, 01:03:43 pm
good post

I had a blast playing the beta, more so than any shooter I've played in a long time and certainly the most for any multiplayer shooter since like Perfect Dark. It's a real hoot.

I think it was in the Zero Punctuation review of Dark Souls where he says his favorite method of telling a story for a game is by not telling it and I think that's one of the game's strengths. It's very much like an SNK fighter in that regard in that it has a cool cast and setting and lots of backstop that you can dive into but only if you want to. I wish more games utilized that kind of storytelling.

and youef i will totally play when it arrives


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 May, 2016, 01:55:31 pm
I'm at work but I'll be on later tonight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 31 May, 2016, 10:40:25 pm
i think i'm at my limit with public matches

a group will be good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 May, 2016, 10:52:34 pm
We had a lot of not fun tonight. So many blown leads. Annoyed that my other friends have been no-shows the past two nights as well.

I was at least able to end the night on a win. Defending Hanamura is reliable as ever.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 31 May, 2016, 11:13:47 pm
atleast you ended on a high note. I think I may have experienced actual trauma tonight.

I'm not even kidding, our Soldier 76 activated his Tactical Visor twice and got stuck on a wall both times during that close match on Route 66.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 May, 2016, 11:26:59 pm
*slowly shakes his head*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 May, 2016, 11:30:34 pm
Also did you say you had a mic or do you just go without normally? 'cause if we ever actually put a larger group together, it's really nice to party up. The mono-mic that comes with the PS4 has served me well, personally.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 31 May, 2016, 11:35:38 pm
Oh wow I didn't know what that thing was. Do I just plug it into my controller and it'll work?

I've been trying to get this USB mic to work and the PS4 doesn't recognize it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 June, 2016, 01:04:12 am
it's weird, i swear that everyone i know loses most of their battles or struggles with PUGs. i don't know a single person whose team experiences have been good. kinda surprised how that works out, figure someone would at least be lucky enough to get paired up against the unlucky sods

also think one of y'all should stream someday


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 01 June, 2016, 06:47:54 am
I use Apple headphones for the mic. It works when I enable it in the party, and it's pretty good, although I haven't used the mic that came with my PS4.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 June, 2016, 06:55:00 am
didn't db play the beta he should get the game to so we can be a five man band

I'd have to check the box to see if I even still have the headset and then get over being scared to use it but that's a possibility if the FIVE MAN BAND becomes a thing.

also think one of y'all should stream someday

oh god


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 June, 2016, 08:29:24 am
Oh wow I didn't know what that thing was. Do I just plug it into my controller and it'll work?
Yes. It couldn't be simpler.

it's weird, i swear that everyone i know loses most of their battles or struggles with PUGs. i don't know a single person whose team experiences have been good. kinda surprised how that works out, figure someone would at least be lucky enough to get paired up against the unlucky sods

also think one of y'all should stream someday
I mean yeah you get to be on the team that wrecks sometimes, but it's a lot less notable. The odds just aren't in your favor that three of the four randos aren't going to pick Reaper or all be a sniper or be terrible at tanking or whatever.

I use Apple headphones for the mic. It works when I enable it in the party, and it's pretty good, although I haven't used the mic that came with my PS4.
In my limited experience, Apple headphones create this semi-harsh buzzing noise for the other people in the party, but I don't remember if that happened or not when we played Bloodborne.

didn't db play the beta he should get the game to so we can be a five man band

I'd have to check the box to see if I even still have the headset
Like seriously, do you people just throw away hardware or something? :u

Also I think Blaze picked it up for PC.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 June, 2016, 08:31:11 am
I generally don't use the headsets so its not that I actively throw them out, I put them with the box and then the box gets stored or thrown out in the future long after I've forgotten the headset. Since normally I only play fighters online I don't use a headset since who needs to get heckled constantly like that, win or lose. Overwatch was a glitch in the system in that regard.

Also I think Blaze picked it up for PC.

betrayal


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 01 June, 2016, 09:30:56 am
lol someone SHOULD stream! then you can trim the parts where I encounter Roadhog and post it on pornhub


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 June, 2016, 10:15:59 am
ok mattress


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 June, 2016, 10:41:57 pm
I have no idea what to call you in front of people who aren't from this site. I kept wanting to say "Mattress" but I didn't want to have to explain.

There's basically nothing that gives me greater anxiety than when different internet friends intersect though so I'm glad you guys got along. He's one of the guys I play Destiny with. He's very loud and occasionally caustic, but he's a good guy.

What a difference it makes having one more person though. Except for those Gibraltar games I think we did really good. That one game on Ilios where we came back from 99% capture was amazing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 02 June, 2016, 12:26:44 am
LOL it's cool you can just say Bray or Tampa; either one works. And Quail's a good guy I didn't mind him at all. We played another after you left and got slaughtered so we decided to take off too.

Those were some awesome games though with Ilios being the definite favorite. Still kinda salty about the Temple of Anubis attack loss after we trounced the first half.

I think we should try some ranked matches when they release those just for the hell of it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 June, 2016, 06:58:26 am
mattress confirmed as wyatt family member

I guess at some point you guys may play with some buddies of mine since they're also getting it so its gonna be weird when one side is calling me Floyd and the other is calling me Ricky or an asshole.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 June, 2016, 08:28:45 am
The Temple is just a fickle place. And yeah, I'm definitely down to try the competitive mode.


Floyd, I'm more than happy to call you asshole if that's your preference.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 June, 2016, 08:46:36 am
floyd will do


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 June, 2016, 11:39:23 pm
My Reinhardt power grows. I feel that I am more than a shield now, for my hammer is swift and rains terrible blows upon our enemies.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 June, 2016, 08:17:28 pm
Three of the five guys on my team right now are my buddies and they are terrified of your D.Va so good work.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 June, 2016, 08:56:36 pm
Ha, guess I should have played her more. That was also probably my best game ever with Zarya after that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 June, 2016, 09:00:10 pm
now next time be on our team


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 June, 2016, 09:01:07 pm
now next time be on our team
I requested an invite to your group but I don't know what became of it. :u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 June, 2016, 09:03:25 pm
my buddy probably got it and didn't know who you were

I bought a replacement mic online so it can be better coordinated hopefully next week.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 June, 2016, 09:34:45 pm
coolio


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 June, 2016, 09:43:58 pm
It suddenly feels like it's been a long time since I won a game as Reinhardt ._.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 08 June, 2016, 10:38:00 pm
I feel like a complete ass. I didn't even realize you'd invited me until I went to close the game.

I apologize for that, I had to have been away at the time.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 June, 2016, 07:45:39 am
Ha, no worries. Yeah I sent you an invite and waited for like 2 minutes, then looked again and you must have just loaded into a game. So I went to join it and spectated for a round, and then instead of letting me in after like it usually does, it was going to make me spectate again, so I was like "naaaah" and just went off to finish out my level up.

Maybe tonight instead, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 June, 2016, 07:51:05 am
In Destiny news, Rise of Iron is "leaking" all over the place, and the reveal stream is today. Hopefully there's some more explanation for this Iron Gjallarhorn thing.

Like, I'm not mad that it's a pre-order bonus? That would mean being mad at video games, which is against my code of honor.
But it's stillllllll so very much the kind of thing that makes me say "uuuuugh activision."

It even makes sense from a lore perspective for the weapon to come back, and in the last months before Destiny 2, they don't really have anything to lose. But I can't imagine that it's the kind of thing you have to pre-order to get, or else you're out of luck. The theory I like is that it's a skin, like you get the black one for pre-ordering, and you get the regular gold one if you do a different quest or something.

As I said, hopefully they address that during the stream or in the weekly blog post.



The flaming axe is way more hype anyway. Rocket launchers are so Year 1.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 June, 2016, 12:04:41 pm
The theory I like is that it's a skin, like you get the black one for pre-ordering, and you get the regular gold one if you do a different quest or something.
They confirmed this more or less immediately, so good on them for dispensing with the bullshit for once.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 June, 2016, 06:40:12 pm
That would mean being mad at video games, which is against my code of honor.

The best code of honor to have really


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 09 June, 2016, 07:47:34 pm
That would mean being mad at video games, which is against my code of honor.

The best code of honor to have really

Uh yeah, yes it is...

*nervous laughter, sweats*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 June, 2016, 11:43:52 pm
it's ok not everyone can adhere to the same code of honor, or else they wouldn't be so honorable


also only 35 coins until I can unlock Lionhardt.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 June, 2016, 08:34:01 am
Just as a random morning thought: whenever I load into Dorado, I expect nothing less than a heartbreaking loss.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 June, 2016, 10:32:53 pm
Mattress I feel it is safe to say you are a true difference maker. Watching you go off as Winston and Genji is a treat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 11 June, 2016, 07:17:06 pm
Thanks man, I honestly try my best to do well with Winston. Your Rein does work too though with those nasty ult setups.

I have fully accepted that I will never be able to play D.Va competently because I always stop firing and mash square to reload when she doesn't need to.

Some really good games especially against that all Winston team that ragequit after we beat them on Hanamura


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 June, 2016, 08:20:44 pm
Thanks man, I honestly try my best to do well with Winston. Your Rein does work too though with those nasty ult setups.

I have fully accepted that I will never be able to play D.Va competently because I always stop firing and mash square to reload when she doesn't need to.

Some really good games especially against that all Winston team that ragequit after we beat them on Hanamura
My Reinhardt's win percentage still isn't where I'd like it to be, though. I dunno whether I'm just not getting the support I need or if I'm bad at taking advantage of opportunities. Sometimes I think I'm just not willing to give up in the face of his hard counters (which seems to be many characters).

D.Va needs that survivability buff pronto. The huge crit spot on her mech just makes it melt. I love playing her but it always seems like a better idea to pick a different tank.

And I think that Winston game was two nights ago. That was fantastic. It helps that Symmetra is actually way too good on that map.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 June, 2016, 10:58:25 pm
Got Bloodhardt from a lootbox. Only need 20 coins to get the 1000 I need for Lionhardt, but this is more than acceptable in the meantime. Had a 10-elim / 0-death game soon after picking it up and got POTG.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 12 June, 2016, 09:12:37 pm
He has some of the best skins in the game. He looks almost exactly like Gurren Lagann.

Can't wait to see what new skins will be available in the future tho.

are you going to be on tomorrow night?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 June, 2016, 09:16:03 pm
I got the currency I needed in the very next box, so I am gilded and glorious now (though I had awful games tonight so I didn't stay on long).

I should be on tomorrow, yeah. Althoooough I was gonna watch the Sony conference, so I might only hop on for a few quick games.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 June, 2016, 10:12:42 pm
Had to leave a little early woops but hey thanks for getting me in the group.

also trying to tell which voices were yours was a good time


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 June, 2016, 10:20:09 pm
Yeah dude, it was nice. Getting that Zarya-Hanzo combo ult was a dream come true.

And my apologies, as I feared my other friends were quiiiiite loud. For context, the one guy was going through a list of Ken M's posts on reddit or something. Dude's like a legendary troll or whatever. So yeah.

The other guy is just very British and camp. They're good people though, I promise.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 June, 2016, 10:25:25 pm
Yeah I had no problems with any of them so its cool. Was good stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 June, 2016, 11:15:59 pm
So I started playing The Witcher: Enhanced Edition this weekend. Had a moment yesterday where I didn't feel like playing the other stuff I've been doing, so I figured why not?

It's definitely a game from 2007 or earlier. Got all that vintage jank, and actually reminds me of Mass Effect 1 in a lot of ways, which is fitting given it was apparently made with the same engine. But it's pretty neat, and I think I'm getting the hang of it. Got through the prologue fine once I worked out that combat is actually timing based. Feels like I'm making steady progress through the first chapter, too.

It was actually funny, after the prologue I was like "Ok I guess now I have to go South to Temeria, let's start the adventure." I've been so conditioned to actually expect to travel places, but then the game just goes "And so Geralt traveled South."

It's cool, though. Hopefully I can make my way through it at a steady pace. I'm not really trying to take my time with it, so I'll probably use a walkthrough when I feel like it's being convoluted.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 20 June, 2016, 03:33:22 am
i never saw the first witcher game in action until after the series became a AAA behemoth, and i was pretty surprised to see how visibly low budget it was. still, for however jank it looks, the devs put a lot of care into that game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 June, 2016, 07:48:12 am
I own III and got a copy of the second one with the Xbox Games for Gold or whatever. I never tried to play the first one though since I've never had a PC that could play it. Maybe soon but I unno. I'm really interested in the series though so I'll be following your first game progress here with interest.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 June, 2016, 10:58:18 pm
i never saw the first witcher game in action until after the series became a AAA behemoth, and i was pretty surprised to see how visibly low budget it was. still, for however jank it looks, the devs put a lot of care into that game.
It definitely feels that way. Tons of detail built in, and probably a lot of stuff I'm missing, too. It's impressive that they not only give you two separate swords, but they also did different animations of each style for each sword. I understand that in the Wild Hunt at least, Geralt automatically draws the correct sword depending on the enemy you're fighting. That's almost disappointing to me, but maybe I won't feel that way once I actually get there.

Anyway, I finished Chapter I. It's actually hilarious how over-powered the first sign (spell) you get in this game is. It's the knockback spell, which has a chance to knock down or stun enemies, and that opens them up to a coup de grace instant kill. And it works on bigger enemies like the unique alghoul and drowned dead. It also worked on hellhound that was the boss of this chapter, and it kinda saved my life. I wasn't sure when the boss fight would trigger, so I accidentally ran into it without using my potions or oils. Lost like half of my health just trying to get ready while the barghests swarmed me. But then boom, one shot.

It worked on the cockatrice I had to kill to get out of jail at the start of the next chapter, too, so lol. Wondering how long it'll be before I meet enemies who resist that.

Also I kinda killed all the named NPCs in the village after they attacked me and tried to lynch the red-headed witch (who I had sex with in the cave before confronting the mob). Not sure if there was a more peaceful resolution, but I'm ok with these results. They were all horrible people anyway.

I've actually had sex with 3 women so far and missed out on a 4th. The cards you get for banging them are surprisingly pornographic.

But yeah. I can feel this game getting its hooks in me already. Played an hour longer than I meant to tonight. It's got me excited for the rest of the series.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 June, 2016, 11:04:50 pm
The game is definitely starting to sprawl here in chapter II. I played for three hours tonight and it feels like all I did was pick up quests without actually advancing any of them.

I did defend a bunch of prostitutes, though. And I might have killed some stray dogs for a contract, but it seems like I could have gotten the drop I needed from them elsewhere, without killing dogs. So that makes me feel awful.

Oh and I failed my first quest after something from Chapter I came back to kill someone. So that's no good, I guess.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 June, 2016, 11:15:08 pm
Cleared out the sewers and did some other stuff, but I get the sense I may have fucked up my investigation somewhat. It doesn't seem to be pointing me to the right people. I'm taking a trip to the swamp to follow up on some other stuff before I run the risk of triggering anything back in town.

Had my second death, though at the hands of an echinops. Really took me by surprise how much damage it was doing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 June, 2016, 11:28:25 pm
So that Echinops that kept murdering me was actually an Archspore, some kind of devil plant. So yeah, no wonder. Still barely killed the thing, but at least it won't come back.

Managed to properly explore the swamp as a result, or at least some of it. It's a big area and there are so many enemies. Still got plenty more to do, and I figure most of it is worth doing before I return to the Temple Quarter to continue my investigation.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 June, 2016, 01:29:51 am
After hours of trudging back and forth from place to place, I think I have done everything there is to do in the swamp (aside from a quest I intentionally skipped to remain neutral). That place kinda sucks, if only because you usually can't cut a straight path through it. Also so many Drowners. Like, an obnoxious number of Drowners and those giant leech things, too. Irritating.

Got the investigation quest back on track. Wish I hadn't accidentally spoiled the results of it while looking up stuff as there are some cool in-game hints that should tip off anyone observant enough. I'm at the part where I have to do the autopsy, though, and also near where I think I can have sex with Shani (because Geralt has a thing for redheads).

Oh and I got the Dryad card, too. All in all a productive evening.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 25 June, 2016, 02:38:30 am
you're really getting a kick out of those sex cards


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 June, 2016, 12:35:42 pm
I just kinda stumble into them. They're not that hard to get.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 June, 2016, 10:05:47 pm
Getting to the point where I just want to play Zarya as much as possible.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 28 June, 2016, 10:18:15 pm
you're making me want to play this game so i bought it for like $2 on steam


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 June, 2016, 11:32:41 pm
The Witcher? I mean it's definitely worth $2. I'm liking it, though I think I big portion of it is just me being excited to play the next two.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 29 June, 2016, 01:20:36 am
The Witcher 3 is a good game, but I don't think I got as much out of it as I wanted to. I wish I played 1&2 first.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 June, 2016, 10:33:21 pm
Successfully completed the investigation and successfully took Shani to bed.

Also feel like I did a decent job preparing for the boss fight? I mean, I don't really have too many options for potions, but the healing potion is a no brainer, and it said back in the tutorial that stamina regen is good for fighting sorcerers. And then I got the final sign that happens to be the guy's weakness right before the fight, so it's not really that complicated. Basically if you pay attention to obvious hints and remember stuff, it's not too difficult to know what to do.

So now on to Chapter III.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 July, 2016, 12:55:29 am
Back in full "get all the quests, have no idea where to start" mode at the beginning of chapter III.

Went to a party, banged a princess. Helped out a friend, banged the merchant's daughter after beating up her dad. Apparently Witcher's "tingle."

I also spent way too much money on better armor, but I consider it worth it just for the extra potion slot.

At this point in the game, inventory management is my single biggest gripe. It's doubtless a memory thing, but they just don't give you enough space to carry all these potions/alcohol/books/things to sell. And then on top of that, for some reason they decided witcher contracts had to take up an inventory slot, too. If the second game is no different aside from an inventory overhaul, I'll be ecstatic.

I've also had to choose a side in the whole humans vs. non-humans fight thanks to the bank robbery quest. Gotta say, I'm a bit surprised to be siding with the humans, especially because the Order is a bunch of zealots. But the Scoia'tael are just dicks, and their tactics are all wrong.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 02 July, 2016, 09:45:37 am
from what i remember of the 3 hours of witcher 2 i played, witcher elves are dicks and they're not even hot

worst elves ever


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 July, 2016, 04:02:05 pm
Somehow it makes sense that Eastern European elves would be complete lamers.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 July, 2016, 05:49:04 pm
Got another 3 cards and now I'm back in the swamp. Because that's exactly where I wanted to be. Also it's even worse now, but Aard is still broken.

Edit: Another thing I find confusing in this game is stat comparison. Everything is in + and - percentages but it doesn't actually put your current weapon side by side. Too many mental gymnastics required.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 July, 2016, 12:42:07 am
Sigh. Now Shani wants me to propose to her. I'm not that kind of Witcher, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 July, 2016, 01:22:13 am
Finished up Chapter III.

Chapter IV is a bit jarring at first, though I haven't really started any of what I would call the major quests. While I appreciate the change of scenery (the city was starting to look pretty samey), I can't help but think my reason for being here is a bit filler-y story-wise. Plenty of work to do, though.

Also, there's an innkeeper here who just randomly decides to tell me the life story of Cirilla from the third game, so like.... spoilers?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 July, 2016, 04:49:25 pm
Giant centipedes don't mess around.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 July, 2016, 08:59:57 pm
generally yeah


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 July, 2016, 12:39:24 am
there is a fuck ton of running back and forth in this chapter, and I'm not sure it's worth it even if I do get to fight Dagon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 July, 2016, 11:23:43 am
dagon is a pretty cool dude though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 July, 2016, 04:47:36 pm
the dagon fight was really lame unfortunately

chapter IV is sadly a wash, but it's over now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 July, 2016, 08:15:32 pm
Played 4 games of competitive Overwatch. Went 2-2. First two games my teams were hooooorrible. Like I don't even know. Awful.

Second 2 games were both payload maps, which I had a feeling would go more smoothly, and they did.

Had the most success with Reinhardt, D.Va, and Winston, and also did some good things with Zenyatta. Not at all surprised that no one else wanted to play tank or support in any of the games I played.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 July, 2016, 11:10:41 pm
the princess whose curse Geralt removed before the events of the game got cursed again

what a surprise

she's better now (again)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 July, 2016, 10:22:48 pm
Finished my placement games 6-4. Apparently the key to success is just to play Lucio and have a really strong back.

Anyway, I have a painfully average skill rating of 50. Not playing anymore competitive mode unless it's with other people.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2016, 08:17:53 am
Beat the Witcher last night. Kept me up late because the epilogue was a lot more involved than I expected it to be. Definitely not a case of "the action is over, this is the wrap-up."

I know I was playing on normal mode, but I was amused by how much the game goes out of its way to help you near the end.

"Do you need to rest? Here's a campfire. Just fought some more dudes? Here's another campfire. Final boss ahead? No campfire, but you can still meditate."

"How are you doing on potions? Do you have enough potions? If not, here's a bunch of high quality alcohol, just sitting on this convenient corpse. That soldier sure knew how to live it up!"

"Worried about this 2 hour potion not lasting through the final encounter? Fear not! The last sequence takes place in a vision where time is distorted and potion duration is multiplied tenfold!"

It's also pretty clear that on this difficulty, as long as you do all of the quests and sidequests, you should be leveled enough to not struggle much with anything. Combat in this game is also designed to stunlock enemies as long as you don't mess up.

So yeah. Fun game. Probably going to take the night off and then start Assassins of Kings this weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 08 July, 2016, 10:33:34 am
*patiently waits for you to get to III*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2016, 10:55:13 am
Hopefully sometime before the end of the month? We'll see how II treats me. I put 48 hours into the first game over a span of a little less than three weeks it looks like? (Dang)

I heard the second game is a lot harder.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 08 July, 2016, 11:25:28 am
I never played Witcher 1 so I can't really comment on difficulty changes, but 2 can be brutal even on normal, honestly.

I'm not going to say much, but I'll be interested to see how you do at certain parts in the game! Quen sign is your FRIEND.



Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2016, 12:20:31 pm
Think I used Quen twice in the first game. I was all Aard and Igni otherwise. Never used Yrden, and only used Axii during the boss fight from Chapter II.

So yeah, hoping to see more use out of those.

Witcher 1 also gives you a pretty clear choice between a build for swords and a build for signs, so I'd like to see a bit more flexibility.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 July, 2016, 01:33:14 am
Mostly sat around watching SGDQ today, but I did play some of Limbo because I want to play that and then get Inside at some point. It's neat and gruesome. I got stuck at some crazy jump though and am not sure what to do.

May try to finish it tomorrow, but I'm starting Witcher II sometime in the afternoon either way.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 July, 2016, 02:50:44 pm
And done with Limbo. Wasn't far off the end. Nice little game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 July, 2016, 07:35:37 pm
Started the Witcher II. It's very different. Really not sure I jive with the controls, and they seem way more complicated than they were in the first game, which I found to be wonderfully simple the more I played. It also seems like it'll be much more punishing in terms of potion duration and such, but it might just be my mind playing tricks on me now that the durations are all in real time.

Think I'm not quite through the prologue yet. Story seems interesting anyway.


Edit: Beat the prologue. I've got a better feel for the controls now. The tutorial just made them seem way more complicated than they looked. It's still annoying that I don't have a mouse-driven way to get to Inventory, Map, Journal, etc.

Made it to the first major town in Chapter I and am already up to my ears in quests and such. Fun adventures await.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2016, 11:35:13 am
So there's a Poke Stop literally right across the street from my office, and yet I can't enter its radius just by walking to the end of my building.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 July, 2016, 12:48:13 pm
The entrance to my building is one but my office is just slightly out of reach from it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2016, 01:11:45 pm
I'm already planning to "go for a walk" to "stretch my legs" about mid-afternoon.



this is how it starts isn't it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 July, 2016, 01:37:34 pm
i went on two walks this weekend

yes, this is exactly how it starts


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2016, 03:17:18 pm
there's a 10-15 minute loop around where I work that passes 8 pokestops

caught like 4 new ones while I was out





i'm only playing this game until I get a Gengar
that's what I'm telling myself


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2016, 05:27:30 pm
caught a magikarp

only need 397 magikarp candy now


also I'm home now and my apartment complex is a wasteland
there's a gym way off in the distance, and a single poke stop at the post office in a nearby shopping center but that's it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 July, 2016, 06:39:54 pm
I sat down after getting home and my brother whirled around the corner, said "there's a Dratini near by" and we were both off.

Did not catch it but I found a Scyther and Krabby so I consider that an even trade.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2016, 07:00:15 pm
there's like
a pinsir in my radius but I dunno, it's kinda raining

this might only be a game that is there to distract me at work


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2016, 11:07:33 pm
Witcher II tonight: Killed some monsters, befriended a troll, killed some dudes, took a bunch of people's money through gambling (the mini-games seem even easier so far, except for dice poker because fuck dice poker).

More monster hunting shall commence tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2016, 10:27:10 am
nabbed a pinsir as soon as I got to work

team mystic yo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 July, 2016, 10:54:58 am
team instinct


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2016, 12:04:04 pm
better than valor


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 July, 2016, 12:09:22 pm
agreed moltres is a piss poor fire bird

if it was ho-oh maybe though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2016, 12:15:02 pm
yeah I mean plus I'm pretty sure their MO is the same as every antagonist the game has ever had


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2016, 12:31:54 pm
New OW character looks great, I can't wait to never get to play her.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 12 July, 2016, 04:41:21 pm
have you seen Zenyatta's changes?

I mean, yeah, he needed them...but holy ****. He's going to be flinging prayer beads like a machine gun. He already melted tanks before but he's probably even going to be viable on the front lines now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2016, 05:50:16 pm
Yeah I'm pumped. He's gonna be great.

D.Va changes are also exciting. She should be totally different now.

I think the Mercy changes are also good, so it'll be nice to play her now when everyone else is playing Ana.



Also I'll probably see if competitive is anymore bearable without hero stacking (probably not).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2016, 10:22:22 pm
Think I killed most of the monsters in the forest. Also found some neat swords.

One more side quest and then I think I'll be ready to take on the demon octopus.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 13 July, 2016, 12:18:17 am
Yes. This'll be good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 July, 2016, 01:50:12 pm
Today's rare-but-probably-not-actually-rare find is a Ponyta. Neigh.

Gastly came up on my scanner earlier but I was in the middle of something. Grrrrrrr intensifies.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 July, 2016, 02:41:00 pm
There was a fucking Dratini near my house and my brother and I couldn't find it anywhere. It was one of the most frustrating experiences I've had with a game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 July, 2016, 03:07:07 pm
I'm less frustrating after finding out that distance is dependent not only on the number of paw prints but also position within the Nearby grid itself. So top left is closest, bottom right is furthest away. That's at least what a handful of articles have claimed and it seems consistent with my experience so far.

But then I think sometimes there's just like a global refresh because what I want will up and disappear even though it was on the top row.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 13 July, 2016, 07:11:34 pm
agreed moltres is a piss poor fire bird

if it was ho-oh maybe though

Moltres is literally a flaming plucked chicken, I always never cared for the design especially in comparison to Articuno and Zapdos.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 July, 2016, 10:20:57 pm
it's a very phoned-in fire bird design




snagged a Golbat and a Jigglypuff on a late-night patrol
would have gone after a Tentacool, too, but I couldn't get a fix on it
I'm kinda limited around my apartment because I can only move along a W-E axis. Going North is a fence and construction site. South is wilderness and a creek.


update: this game is testing my restraint and I'm failing
went out again and snagged a Poliwag
game froze on me when I was trying to nab a Koffing though
I've lost way too many pokemon that way


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2016, 08:27:21 am
So do we know if having a higher level makes it easier to catch red-level pokemon? I just wasted an ungodly amount of poke balls trying to catch a Vileplume that popped up when I got to work.

(I also feel like it gets a lot harder to even hit them in the first place, but I might just be regressing in my ball tossing skills.)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 July, 2016, 08:28:46 am
I'm not sure. I've only heard higher leveling makes more rare Pokemon appear but I haven't really dug into the mechanics much to tell.

I also don't think I've seen any red level Pokemon so hurrr

What's the coolest thing you've got so far?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2016, 08:33:19 am
I don't have too many that I personally consider super cool yet. I mean I've got Gastly, which will be cool after I catch a hundred more of him. Nidoran becomes The King eventually, which is all well and good. I do have a Golbat, so like, ok? Tauros and Pinsir are fine too.

And I've got 3 Eevees on hand. So yeah. You?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 July, 2016, 08:36:07 am
Tauros is rad. I'm at like 26 Nidoran candies and I need 100 to turn Nidorino into the One True King.

Coolest thing was definitely the Arcanine but I've got an okay spread of other things at the very least, although still no Snorlax so who really cares.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2016, 10:49:39 am
I was reading a wiki page that shows there are specific pokemon that come from each tier of egg. 2km eggs seem like a semi-reliable way to get starter candy.

in other news there's a scyther outside and i want it bad man

also heard that eevolutions are random which means i'm never going to get a jolteon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2016, 02:20:29 pm
the arcanine that got away

sigh



really hope they have a solution for the freezing glitch soon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 July, 2016, 05:36:50 pm
also heard that eevolutions are random which means i'm never going to get a jolteon

i evolved my second eevee today and got a second vaporeon image my delight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 14 July, 2016, 06:24:51 pm
Reminder that you guys are only cool if you caught an Ekans.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2016, 06:25:41 pm
Saw one on my radar earlier but was driving so I couldn't go catch it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 14 July, 2016, 06:26:07 pm
That's not a valid excuse.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 July, 2016, 06:33:09 pm
Reminder that you guys are only cool if you caught an Ekans.

*is cool*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2016, 10:15:52 pm
Killed the Kayran. Not a bad fight, though it wasn't super obvious what I was supposed to do to finish it off. Figured it out, though.

Also, first sex scene of the game ayyyyy. Guess there aren't cards this time.

Gonna see if I can remain faithful to Triss I guess.



Sidebar, some of my friends looking at screenshots of this game said the textures look way worse than they ought to, and it did kiiiiiinda auto-detect to low settings. Planted some doubts about whether Witcher 3 will do well on this rig. I'd hope it's optimized enough? Like I know that game is one that lots of people use to test graphics cards, but um. Yeah I don't really know. Might be due for an upgrade.


ignore all of this I'm dumb. Did some digging because after typing this up it didn't make sense to me, and sure enough, I wasn't actually using the auto-detected settings. The game just defaults to the lowest stuff. I clicked auto-detect and suddenly yeah, like everything was enabled. Ran through the forest and killed some stuff, didn't notice much in the way of frame drops. So yeah. Should be even more enjoyable moving forward.

And looking at the recommended stuff, I don't think Witcher 3 will be a huge issue either. Might not be max settings for that, but that's ok.

Could still look into upgrading some stuff come next tax return, I suppose.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 July, 2016, 08:41:12 am
Starting to think there are designated spawn points for Pokemon in the world. I've found two places in the parking lot of my apartment that I can consistently walk to and find monsters that I consider "in range" (less than 3 paws). Feel like this is something that bears further research.

I'm level 9 now and more interesting stuff is popping up on the scanner all the time. The game has been pelting me with Bulbasaurs (read: 2) this morning, which is cool I guess. I got a lucky egg, so I'm also preparing for a mass-evolution spree by hording Pidgey's and holding onto anything else I've got enough candy for.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 July, 2016, 06:15:21 pm
So there's a way to force Eevee to evolve into the desired element: https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemongo/comments/4t0cpo/psa_how_to_force_your_eevee_to_evolve_into_your/?st=iqocypci&sh=df9a17d0

Pretty nice, especially since I caught one today that was like 280 cp.

Reminder that you guys are only cool if you caught an Ekans.
Also I'm cool now.


I'm preparing a mass culling evolving of Pidgeys and Weedles to make use of one of my Lucky Eggs. I caught like 20 today just sitting at a Stop with a Lure.

As a final note, gym fighting is still lame and totally pointless if you don't have Pokemon of comparable cp.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 15 July, 2016, 08:36:53 pm
(http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/649/707/d75.png)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 July, 2016, 11:03:09 pm
The Eevee trick worked. I got a Jolteon.

Also after evolving like 8 Pidgeys, a couple Rattatas, a Beedrill, and a Metapod, I'm now level 12.



Witcher updates in a bit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 July, 2016, 12:04:47 am
So yeah, I'm "At a Crossroads" and have to decide whether to side with the blue stripes or the scoia'tael.

The elves in this game are not quite as shitty. They've got motivations and a shred of sympathy going for them. It helps that the humans in Flotsam are far more overtly shitty back at them. Like riots and murdering non-humans and defacing elven ruins and whatnot.

Iorveth makes their goals sound almost Zionist in a way. Establish a free elven state on lands that once belonged to elves. Sounds great. He's even got a sweet queen in mind. The problem I have is a) that's clearly not going to happen, and b) what if it actually does turn out like Israel and all it does is sow the seeds for further conflict?

I can't forget that Iorveth has apparently killed so many people over the course of a century, and the scoia'tael's idea of freedom fighting still often includes burning an innocent village to the ground. Iorveth's unit doesn't seem like the type, but it's still the association.

But maybe I could reform them from within? After all, they do owe me one now. And if I side with them I'll be choosing to help free their friends from the prison barge that would otherwise take them to non-human hell on earth.

So what's the alternative?

Siding with Vernon Roche and the blue stripes. Roche had enough doubt about Foltest's death to help me escape and set me on the path to clearing my name. But he's also a soldier decorated for doing whatever it takes, which usually involves indiscriminate slaughter of non-human insurgents. This is the kind of violence breeds more violence that I'd love to bring to an end. But Roche doesn't seem like he would consider the scoia'tael as anything but an enemy.

Choosing that path does let me take out Flotsam's commandant, Loredo, though, and that is something I really want to do. Was really hoping I'd get to do that regardless.

But maybe I will? Maybe he shows up as I'm trying to take the barge?

Like the thing is my gut tells me to go with Iorveth because his ideas all seem a bit more "bigger picture," and I'm all about bigger picture. Loredo is small time and Roche will deal with him regardless. Or he won't, and he'll show up later so I can kill him myself.

But Roche is also the horse I rode in on, and I wouldn't be free in the first place without his aide.

I'm very torn, and it doesn't feel like either choice is really "right." Credit to CDProjekt for not making something like this feel trivial.

Sigh.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 16 July, 2016, 02:54:28 am
i just love elves man


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 July, 2016, 08:15:52 pm
I sided with the elves. No fallout with the blue stripes yet, and I let Loredo get away so I could save some elf girls.

Liking the look of Vergen. Mountains should be much more fun to traipse around in than marshes.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 16 July, 2016, 08:23:27 pm
HA! We chose the same path.

You've got the right idea though, is all I can say.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 July, 2016, 01:30:57 am
This feels like a lot of video game.

I walked around Vergen for a while. Went into the mines and killed a bunch of monsters while enduring LotR references. Walked around town more. Talked to people. Pissed off the prince whose blood I need and now can't seem to get. So yeah. So many quests and I haven't even gone out into the wilderness yet. And apparently I have to recreate a battle. This'll be fun.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 July, 2016, 11:16:16 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmeQwfQP9sA


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 18 July, 2016, 05:25:20 am
NGE intro parodies will never not be funny to me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 July, 2016, 08:26:53 am
They're consistently good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 July, 2016, 11:13:06 pm
The Witcher 2 has taught me that the afterglow of banging a succubus is akin to being drunk. Guess that makes sense.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 18 July, 2016, 11:46:57 pm
it ain't a witcher game without banging monster girls


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 July, 2016, 12:03:42 am
Zenyatta feels pretty good post-patch. Not dying nearly as much, and the Transcendence buff is nice.

Didn't really get to play any D.Va. Ana is everywhere, and I'll be glad when people have kinda had their fill of her and she adjusts to normal rotation.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 July, 2016, 10:54:25 pm
Ok yeah D.Va is awesome now. I had close to 3 deathless games playing her tonight. The highlight was a game on Lijiang Tower, Night Market. An enemy McCree was at the gate facing into the point, using his ult. I stood in front of him and held Defense Matrix up and my friend playing Reaper just walked through me and shut him down.

Also had more good games as Zenyatta. My basic rotation at this point is Zenyatta, D.Va, Reinhardt, Zarya, with Lucio and Mercy filling in when we need those. It's not that different, but some parts are just more viable now. I'll still bring out Pharah, Winston, and Symmetra if there's good cause. I almost never play Torbjorn at this point.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 July, 2016, 01:25:05 pm
Pokemon update:

I'm halfway to level 18.
I have the full triumvirate of Eevolutions (Aquafina, Mozilla, and Nikola).
721 Wigglytuff is the strongest wild Pokemon I've caught.
I have 11 Gastly candy.
59 Pokemon registered in the PokeDex.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 July, 2016, 08:47:15 pm
What's your Pokedex number at? Caught and seen?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 July, 2016, 10:21:00 pm
60 caught vs. 62 seen, after hatching a Sandshrew earlier.

The ones that got away were an Arcanine and a Vileplume, both before I had Great Balls.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 July, 2016, 05:30:07 am
Nice. I have a bunch of misses, half are glitch result and half are escapees.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 July, 2016, 09:14:21 am
Up to 61 now after nabbing a Kingler outside the office.

I actually haven't had the freezing glitch in several days. Almost certainly was a server side issue, and things seem to have been much smoother there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 July, 2016, 09:35:23 am
Thankfully. I caught a Dratini the other day and I was sweating bullets. Legit thought the game would conk out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 July, 2016, 10:00:15 pm
Caught a wild 1110 Exeggutor, eff yeah.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 27 July, 2016, 09:15:59 am
Zoomyatta is so good. I love it. The Tank Melter.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 July, 2016, 09:55:54 am
It's amazing just posting up behind a Reinhardt with a McCree or Soldier for extra firepower. I just try and hold back where I have the best vision and put a Discord orb on the most important target. With good team awareness, I can usually send an orb out, duck behind cover, and they'll be dead before the orb returns from breaking line of sight. Then I pop out again and start over.

Using Transcendence to cancel other ults is way easier, too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 July, 2016, 06:29:29 pm
Hatched a Growlithe and a (pretty weak) Onix from a 5km and a 10km egg. Two new entries, I'll definitely take that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 August, 2016, 07:22:53 pm
Kinda been on an Overwatch kick again. It's not that I don't want to play the Witcher, I just don't have time to do both on days that aren't the weekend. Being away the past three days really took a chunk out of a lot of the time I would have been playing.

No Man's Sky comes out next week. So far the thing I've read that most made me want to play it is a review of the soundtrack. I'm pretty adamant about wanting to gauge reactions on this one, though. Hopefully it's something I can get into a few months down the line and be fine with.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 August, 2016, 01:14:40 pm
My 10km egg hatched into a Scyther. Nice.

GameInformer running a Destiny cover story with lots of new info. My hype senses are tingling....


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 02 August, 2016, 04:15:27 pm
summer lootboxes are live

GET EM BEFORE THEY'RE GONE. And no...you can't use your ingame currency for any skins. :/


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 August, 2016, 05:24:30 pm
Yeah I've heard. And I was sooooo sure I'd be playing Witcher tonight, but oh well. Gotta get that Zarya skin.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 02 August, 2016, 07:00:48 pm
You might have to fall back on those Witcher plans tonight.

Blizzard's currently being DDoSed by the cheaters that got banned a while back. Apparently, they planned to do this on update day.

What a bunch of lowlife johkas.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 August, 2016, 07:27:12 pm
Yeah this is ridiculous. I saw the subreddit compilation post, but I'm shocked (for some reason) that those manchildren would go to such lengths.

I managed to get through at least long enough to open my complimentary loot box. Got another effing legendary Bastion skin and the new Reinhardt voice line: "100% German Power."


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 August, 2016, 10:50:40 pm
Did end up playing more Witcher. I unlocked the second level of the rolling upgrade, which boosts my combat roll to cover 200% the distance of the original. It is completely absurd in the best way.

Lifted the curse off the battlefield so that the real battle can happen. Also found out that Triss got totally shrunk.

Should finish up chapter 2 whenever I play next.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 03 August, 2016, 12:24:56 pm
Sorry for derailing but is it true that Destiny allows you to do the Drake Hotline Bling dance?

That may be my calling to jump into this game lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 August, 2016, 01:01:04 pm
It is most definitely true, along with the Carlton, the Elaine, and Thriller. Someone said they're also adding the Mutombo finger wag as an emote, too.

The caveat is that all of those are purchased through micro-transactions, and they aren't all actually on sale currently. Bungie has sets of emotes that are featured at any given moment while they take others off the shelf and instead package them in "mystery boxes" that include a random emote.

But yes, Hotline Bling is technically in the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8wQEzy2WOs


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 August, 2016, 10:56:11 pm
Done with Chapter 2, onward to Loc Muinne. Saskia got a lot cooler and Philippa got a lot bitchier.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 August, 2016, 08:59:35 am
So I'm in Chapter 3, and the pacing has been pretty odd so far. Lots of stuff happening before I even get an opportunity to wander around the city, and some of it was slightly buggy.

Like I followed Iorveth up to the point that I was meant to sneak into the dungeon via the sewers, but the entrance wasn't readily apparent. Instead I ended up drawing agro from like 20 guards who were chasing me around, and while that happened I got into a fist-fight with a dude whose honor I besmirched in Chapter 2. After winning, I was instantly captured and taken to the dungeon instead. So it might be that the sequence just got slightly broken or something.

Stuff happened after that. Had to make another big choice, the consequences of which aren't entirely clear. Philippa at least got what was coming to her, as did the Nilfgaardian ambassador.

Things seem to be heading to a close though, and after looking it up, sure enough, this is actually the last chapter before the epilogue. At first I was thinking that makes this game much shorter than the first one, but then I thought

a) There are essentially two versions of chapter 2, which brings the total up to 4. That would explain where the dev's resources went.
b) The first game should have only been 4 chapters long because chapter 4 there felt like a lot of padding.
c) I'm ok with it anyway because it means I can beat the game faster and move along to the Wild Hunt.

They probably mean for you to play the game twice through, and I wouldn't mind doing so now that I have a handle on the combat and such. But that would be something to do in the future.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 August, 2016, 01:57:11 am
I've beaten Assassins of Kings.

Spoilers for the end of the game follow.

I have some beef with the way the game ended. The finale seemed a little bit rushed, and the fight with the dragon was not good.

The Letho fight was better, although that level 2 rolling that I had unlocked made the fight so much easier, combined with more space to move around. Two rolls and I'm far enough away to dodge his signs, plus I can get behind him at will for backstab damage.

Yet I still had to play things safe in both of those fights because of one of the most maddening things about this game. The story is important here. Talking and conversation are as much a part of the game as sword fights and magic. And most of the big fights are preceded by some kind of talking. But as a Witcher, you're also expected to prepare for fights by taking potions and using blade oils and such.

The problem is that the timers on your potions don't stop ticking down when you're in conversation, so for both fights I didn't actually have any of the bonuses that I had prepared for.

The Letho fight was especially egregious because of how the story handles his character. He disappears and isn't seen for the entirety of chapters 2 and 3. Then he just shows up in the epilogue and sends a note to meet him in the courtyard. And when you get to him, he has all the answers, literally all of them, for his motivations, your past, what happened behind the scenes, and so on. There's a lot of telling when at least some of it could have been shown or discovered while actually playing the game. And why, if this character is so influential, was he basically written out of two-thirds of the game? He's built up in the opening cinematic and first chapter as this badass, and yet you don't even see him again until the end. And there's so much for him to talk about that of course your potions are used up, even if you have them up to 14 minute duration like I do.

What I can imagine is that if you take the time to talk to him and listen to everything he has to say, they probably think you'll decide to let him go. If you want the advantage of potions and oils, then you should just skip the talking and say "let's do this" because you've essentially already decided to fight him by taking the time to prepare beforehand.

So maybe I made the wrong decision? But I thought witchers were supposed to be neutral, and everything this guy has done is the opposite of that. Not to mention he was just lubing up the north for Nilfgaard to come riding in hard and fast. He had it coming, and I wanted a climactic fight/rematch to boot.

Anyway, that's kinda my beef with this game. There was no filler like there was in the first game, but I'm almost wondering if splitting the story the way they did took away from the ending in this one. I still enjoyed the story, and I like the characters and the world. Those are really what makes it worthwhile to me. Combat is fun, although on the difficulty I was playing, I didn't have to try very hard after a certain point. If I played again, I'd want to use more varied tactics, and I'll endeavor to do so in the third game, depending on the gameplay there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 August, 2016, 02:26:55 am
so bloodthirsty :o

i really should play more than like, 3 or 4 hours of that game, only the gameplay seemed like it was just barely on the right side of "passable", and i did the dumb thing i always do and played it on the highest difficulty available straight out of the gate, so that didn't go over too well.

oh well, chalk it up as another one of the 30 games i bought during a gog sale back when i wasn't dirt poor that i barely touched


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 August, 2016, 01:58:32 pm
I mean I bought this for like five bucks in a steam sale, so I'd say it was certainly worth that much


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 August, 2016, 02:13:23 pm
Do you have the third one? I played a few hours of it and thought it was pretty neat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 August, 2016, 06:17:31 pm
Yeah I just dipped my toes in to see how it runs on my computer (set itself to High and is running fine, so I'll stick with that). I like a lot of what I see so far, but of course it wouldn't be a Witcher game if it didn't start by overwhelming me. Only thing so far is I have to relearn how to fight again because they moved the quick menu from CTRL to TAB. Quite excited to get into this one, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 August, 2016, 05:41:58 pm
Conquest of White Orchard is going pretty smoothly so far. Tracking a gryphon while also doing side quests and investigating question marks on the map. The Nilfgaardian commander of the local garrison is.... not a dick? Seems notable.

Also got rid of a noonwraith that was hanging out at a well. Before the fight, Geralt was like "I should prepare for this and make some specter oil." But I didn't have the herb I needed, so I figured I'd just give it a go. Wrecked her. Guess that's normal mode for me.

I also took down a bear without taking a hit, so that made me feel good. Don't think I actually died at all, so yeah. Things are going well so far.

This game is gorgeous. Shout outs to the sad, gay village hunter.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 August, 2016, 08:03:59 am
Hopped back on later than I probably should have last night. Killed the gryphon. Griffon? I've already forgotten which spelling the game uses. With that I should be ready to leave White Orchard soon and get into the thick of it. Just a few more question marks to hunt down, one of which involves dodging level 10 Drowners who are guarding treasure on a river bed. Not sure how to tackle that one, but I guess I'll just try to swim fast.

Also crafted both Viper swords, so that's pretty cool.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 August, 2016, 08:47:19 am
Left White Orchard after I was reasonably certain I had everything I needed from there. Met up with the raven-haired woman and then proceeded to give the imperial chamberlain as hard a time as possible.

My audience with Emhyr Lannister was brief, so hopefully I'll see him again at some point. Crushed some dude in the courtyard in a gwent (on my second try) before departing for Velen.

No man's land is pretty hellish so far. I tried exploring like 3 question marks so far and all of them had level 9 enemies that I didn't want to mess around with just yet (I'm only level 4). So I did a sidequest for a priest instead, and then I murdered that priest when he turned out to be crooked (they usually are in this series).

Should note that I've also bumped it up to Blood and Broken Bones difficulty just because, well, I'm hoping to get really into it? I've been used to health regen just happening in these games, but I like the idea of having to eat food and stuff. Hoping it will make me more careful and precise with combat, too. I also spam dodge now instead of rolling because that tends to work out better.

Kind of alarming how fast three-and-a-half hours went by last night.


In other news, NMS is apparently as much if not more of a survival game than an exploration game? That's fine I guess. Glad I'm waiting to pick it up, though. Definitely seems like a "several months down the line" kind of game for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 August, 2016, 10:24:38 pm
Been taking my time getting around Velen. A quest here, a place of interest there. Finally found a blacksmith who would repair my stuff, but my swords were dangerously close to breaking.

Had my first real bit of save scumming when I couldn't decide what to do with a pack of Scoia'tael. Ended up letting them go. Got a free pass across the river for it... which reminds me I really need to get rid of the counterfeit pass that I got from a different quest. Probably not a good idea to have both.

I have a few treasure maps to cool armor but the sites are like all the way on the other side of the map, so I'm holding off on that for now.

Just met the "local witch," but held off on following her to the next part of that quest. Gonna see about a couple of sidequests first.

I'm finding the enemy levels to be a bit misleading. I'm still level 5 but monsters and bandits that are level 9 aren't too much trouble, just as long as I don't get surrounded. It takes several hits to bring people down, but none have done so much damage to me that a quick Swallow couldn't save my ass.

Also I'm on a 5-game winning streak in gwent. I need to figure out if there's anyone who will give me more than one card if I beat them again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 August, 2016, 09:00:26 am
Ok so it seems like the further south I go on this map, the stronger the enemies get. Accidentally rode into a village that had some ghouls with red skulls over their heads, and sure enough one of them tore me off my horse, one-shotting me.

Before heading down that way for a main quest, I tracked down someone's wife who was missing. Turns out the guy was a werewolf and his wife's sister had accidentally lured her to his lair. Sister wanted her wife to see her turn so she could have werewolf boyfriend all to herself, but then the wife got ripped in half. Felt kind of bad 'cause this girl was obviously an idiot, but I still decided to put the werewolf down rather than let him kill her. I'd found a note saying he'd tried the usual remedies, and he was already in love, so this wasn't a Vincent Meis situation.

Spent the rest of the night wandering through this cave with my current sorceress squeeze. Lots of terrible things in there, very dark. Neither the golem nor the Wild Hunt mage killed me (though it was close), but the optional Gargoyle wrecked me once. I ran out of Swallow and went through most of my food, too. By the end I was down to beer, which I only realized once my vision was going blurry. It does occur to me that there are places where I could have stopped to meditate and replenish my potions, but since I was supposed to be in a hurry, I didn't really want to say "Hey let's just stop for an hour, I'm sure they'll still be here when I'm done."

Anyway, haven't left the cave yet because now we have to find some magic lamp or whatever. Feel like this lady is going to do something stupid before long.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 August, 2016, 03:09:37 pm
NMS port to PC is apparently in a rough state at launch. Pretty glad I had long since convinced myself to wait on that one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 12 August, 2016, 05:36:11 pm
and yet some of those folks DDoS'd jim sterling's site for giving it a 5/10 lol

really don't see the appeal of that game, honestly. given how many times the whole procedural generation trend that's going around right now has burned my ass, it has become kind of a warning sign when a game is marketed based on how many different permutations of areas there are.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 August, 2016, 05:44:28 pm
Well yeah, I mean even without the performance issues, the core gameplay loop appears to be a bit shallower than I had anticipated, and I didn't even have the kinds of expectations for it that managed to radicalize that subreddit. I still find some appeal in the idea of zipping around just seeing a bunch of cool planets and stuff. My hope is that flying through space is kind of a zen thing. The guy in charge called the game "chill," and that would be fine.

At a sale price.

So I hope it gets fixed, and I'll be interested to see what kind of support the game gets beyond sheer maintenance post launch. But I'm waiting for that price drop before I actually go near it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 August, 2016, 11:53:12 pm
Overwatch is still really fun.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 August, 2016, 08:27:08 am
I haven't played it in awhile, was keeping low until the new character hype died down. Might need to get back into it soon.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 August, 2016, 10:38:13 pm
So I've now spent almost as much time playing the Witcher 3 as it took me to beat the Witcher 2. Feel like I've gotten... almost somewhere.

Freed a spirit from a tree and now it might be a demon druid horse? Pretty metal.

Talked to some witches. They're hella gross. Gonna go kill them later on.

Lifted a curse from a village that had been turned into pigs.

Became the champion of fist fighting and horse racing in all of Velen.

Been continuing my conquest of everyone with a "play gwent" prompt, though some people have been pretty tough to beat. Had a few thrillers, I'll tell you. The most memorable one was against someone playing a monster deck. She had mustered basically her entire deck onto the front line, and I had already used my biting frost. Luckily, I had a medic card, which I used to bring back a spy card, and playing that drew me two cards. One of those was a biting frost. The other player had nothing left. I did a fist pump.

Now I'm on an island that is haunted by a plague maiden and her army of rats. After I finish there, I'll go back to the bog and pummel some witches, and theeeen I might actually start to do some cleanup a little bit? Though not a lot a bit because I've seen a ton of stuff that's still over my level, so I know I'll have to come back later to really get into everything. No worries there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 August, 2016, 10:37:56 pm
Did more sidequest stuff tonight. Foglet in the swamp, dispelled the pellar's dad's ghost, started yet another sidequest for Keira.

True highlights of the night are my gwent wins over the boatwright and Haddy. Took Haddy down in one go. Guess the kid wasn't so good after all.
The boatwright was a real bastard though. He played the Nilfgaardian deck and had the card that lets you take from your opponent's discard pile. Must have taken me 4 tries to beat him, but I finally got a good hand.

I'm getting close to being able to play a Nilfgaard deck myself, which I'm looking forward to. In the meantime, I picked up the Roche card for my Northern Realms deck, which is cool even though I will probably never draw the bastard.

Kinda wondering if/when he'll show up in person.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 August, 2016, 09:17:52 am
Two things happened in the Witcher last night that made me feel pretty terrible for the first time since I started playing the series.

Spoilers follow, though the first is just a side quest thing.

A few days back, I was heading east when I encountered a wagon beset by ghouls. There was a guy hiding underneath the wagon. His name was Gert, and after I had slain the ghouls, I found out that it was Gert's job to haul plague-ridden corpses away for disposal. He claimed to be immune to the plague, having been exposed many times throughout his life but never falling victim. I convinced him to burn the wagon anyway and get a new one.

Then last night, I was making my way through a field south of Toderas, destroying Nekkar nests when I saw a man wandering around a condemned  house. It was Gert, and when I got close enough, I saw the pox had taken his face. Guess his luck ran out. He begged me to kill him, to end his suffering.

But I refused.

There was no follow up. No option to try and treat his illness. After all, the mage Alexander's notes told me that 93% of people who fall victim to the plague perish. When they receive medical care, that number drops to 89%. Gert staggered away and told me to leave him. So I did.

Later, I joined the Bloody Baron and his men at Downwarren where they were preparing to head into the swamp and rescue his wife, Anna. I arrived to find the Baron talking to the terrified ealdorman. The ealdorman, short an ear, was talking about how a horse demon had been terrorizing the village. Said it was the "dark ghost" of the swamp, seeking revenge.

The horse was my doing. Earlier in my journey, I had gone into the swamp following a lead on Ciri. There I met the witches who had encountered her and also enslaved Anna. Before they would tell me what had become of Ciri, the crones bade me help the people of Downwarren by dealing with an evil beneath the Whispering Hillock.

That evil was trapped within the heart of a cursed tree. It lured villagers with sibilant whispers on the wind and murdered the with werewolves in its thrall. When I confronted the spirit, it claimed to be a druid who had opposed the witches in ages past, and it was sealed beneath the tree. It asked me to free it. When I brought up the dead villagers, it said that nature was indifferent.

I felt no obligation to the witches and figured that releasing the spirit was as good as destroying it if it went on its way. I also made it promise to free the children kept at the witches' hut, which it did.

Hearing that the spirit was still murdering villagers made me uneasy, but that was not why I had returned to Downwarren. I told the Baron I was ready and escorted his men down into the bog.

When we arrived at the site, we found witch hunters from the Order of the Flaming Rose had beaten us there, but they were beset by necrophages. After fighting them off, I found out that Tamara, the Baron's daughter and a recent convert, had taken up the sword to free her mother. The Baron greeted her and she countered with icy words, ignoring him to focus on the matter at hand.

A brief search uncovered Anna, or what had become of her. She had been transformed into a beast, a curse from the crones as punishment for letting the children escape.

It didn't take long to reverse the effects of the curse, but it was too late, and it was also a trick. The transformation was a ruse, for the real curse was a death sentence. Anna had a moment to see her husband and daughter together. She pleaded with Tamara to remember her not as this hag but as the woman who loved her and who laughed while weaving flowers together.

The Baron was beside himself. His daughter departed, still wanting nothing to do with him. His wife lay cold on the swamp floor. He told me my payment would be waiting back at Crow's Perch.

When I arrived, I found him hanging from a tree in the courtyard.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 17 August, 2016, 10:10:00 am
You just experienced my personal favorite quest of the game.

The whole thing was masterfully done.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 August, 2016, 10:26:13 am
Yeah. The extent to which they make a drunken wifebeater a likeable character that you want to help, and who I'm pretty devastated to have failed, is really impressive.

I haven't looked up the alternative ends to the quest line, and I'm going to try not to. Even if I could go back and find a save from before that branch, this is something I'll have to live with.

Just have to wait for New Game + to see what could have been.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 August, 2016, 11:24:21 pm
Grabbed the last diagrams for the Griffin set only to realize there's not a blacksmith around who can forge the swords for me. Will point out that after decking myself out in medium armor and taking the Griffin School talent, I am kinda of unstoppable one on one. I stunlocked a level 18 wyvern using Aard and a combination of strong and fast attacks. My stamina recharges so fast I can pretty much cast signs immediately after the enemy recovers. Still have to be more careful in groups, which is why I held off on a monster den full of level 18 nekkars.

And now I have crossed the Pontar, my sights set on Novigrad and a new beginning in the big city.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 August, 2016, 12:35:11 pm
that bastion short was so good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 August, 2016, 12:51:41 pm
Ashes of Ariandal is the first DSIII DLC. Apparently the trailer was up briefly but got taken down, presumably to go up officially later in the week.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 August, 2016, 01:55:40 pm
They have an announcement set for tomorrow so hopefully its that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 24 August, 2016, 09:09:10 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5JCsO6eblw&feature=youtu.be

the good stuff


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 24 August, 2016, 09:18:40 am
painted world of ariamis: the revengeance

i did say to myself once that we had better see priscilla in some DLC somewhere, so we damn well better


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 August, 2016, 09:32:00 am
Novigrad. I'm wondering if this city has changed me.

Some spoilers to follow.

I must have been there about a week, perhaps longer. Spent enough time trudging about in sewers and tunnels that I may have lost a day here or there. Followed most of the leads I had upon arrival, tracking people down through Farcorners and The Bits and volunteering to help just about anyone who calls for it, just to see if they'll reveal something about the city that I didn't previously know.

I acted as bodyguard for a fisstech dealer, hunted down a fiend who turned out to be a doppler with a case of kleptomania, even investigated a haunted house. I've gotten into fistfights and played card games in places from the harbor all the way up to posh Gildorf. I've learned how to get around in a city where turning the wrong corner at the wrong time of day can mean walking into an ambush.

I met up with Triss Merigold in the Putrid Grove and endured uncomfortable moments where I reminded people in front of her that we were just friends, same as we'd decided after the events at Loc Muinne. It stings her still, I can tell, but I think most of all we're just happy that neither of us turned up dead.

As I should have guessed from the start, Ciri's trail led me to Dandelion. Or his own trail, as it were. Damn fool's been captured, apparently. For some reason he got into a tussle with the Big Four of Novigrad's underworld: Sigi Reuven, The King of Beggars, Cleaver, and Whoreson Junior. Three of those I met at Reuven's bathhouse, where I learned Dandelion's apparent heist had succeeded. A sizeable fortune had disappeared from Reuven's vault, and he wanted me to track it down for him. I already knew who had stolen it, but finding the treasure would hopefully lead me to the bard.

Reuven, like plenty of others in the city, was not who he seemed to be. One of Novigrad's newest crime lords was none other than Sigismund Dijkstra, the former head of Redanian intelligence (and a useful gwent card, to boot). He was of the opinion that Junior was behind the disappearance of Dandelion, and when a band of Junior's men broke into the bathhouse during our meeting, that seemed to confirm the suspicion. The fourth member of their uneasy alliance had apparently gone rogue and tried to kill Cleaver earlier that week. Aside from tracking down the treasure, I also decided to go find him.

The treasure, as it turns out, was confiscated by Caleb Menge, the commander of the Temple Guard. He's been using it fund his witch hunts over the past weeks. He also has Dandelion locked in a cell, so Triss and I are going to meet up and bust him out.

The darker path eventually led me to Junior. I had to investigate his operations within the city to lure him out. Tried his hideout first, but Cleaver's men got there first and ransacked the place. Went to his fighting pits next and managed to draw him out briefly by putting on a good show, but the dwarf's thugs showed up again and scared him away. Finally at his casino, I padded my wallet with an extra 400 crowns off wannabe gwent aficionados, which drew the attention of the enforcers from upstairs. Once I had dealt with them, I liberated one of the King of Bedlam's informers, who told me that Junior was working for the Redanians.

It made sense that Radovid would want to root out the crime syndicates within Novigrad. The so-called free city had red and black hands alike pulling at it from all sides, the belligerents trying to gain control of precious ships and coin that could turn the tide of the war. I heard from Dijkstra that an old acquaintance with Redanian connections was holed up outside Oxenfurt, and while it was little surprise, I was glad to see Vernon Roche alive and well. He hadn't hung up his blue stripes for a moment, instead waging guerilla warfare against Nilfgaard with anyone still loyal to Temeria.

Roche agreed to lead me to his contact, but asked if I would be willing to return to him later for a favor. I didn't expect to walk into a meeting with King Radovid himself, though. The man had dark circles under his eyes, and he babbled on about chess before telling me what I needed to know. Whoreson Junior was tucked away in a safehouse within Oxenfurt, though that information also came with a favor attached.

To get into the mansion, I told the guards I was "There about the new girls." It was foreboding enough to hear he required fresh girls every night, but not much could have prepared me for what I found. Blood was pooled on the landing, running down the stairs. I found a body out there. In the room, another hung from the rafters, one was crumpled on the bed, and three more were arranged in the bath tub. And there was junior.

I beat him bloody until he was sniveling and ready to talk, to tell me all I wanted to hear. By the end of his little tale, I was ready to be done with him.

But I didn't kill him. Not sure exactly what stayed my hand. Maybe just knowing he was as good as dead anyway. He surely wouldn't be welcome back in Novigrad.

After that I rode back out to see what Roche wanted. He needed my help recalling Ves from the field. There was a village that had helped their dissident group, and she wanted to make sure they weren't hit by Nilfgaardian reprisal, even disobeying direct orders to stay at camp.

Roche and I arrived just in time. We cut down the black ones and then I stood by while Roche lectured his headstrong lieutenant. One Nilfgaardian survived the fight, and here was another point of impasse. Ves wanted to finish him off. Roche actually motioned for mercy, to try and send a different kind of message.

My vote condemned the soldier to death. Truthfully, I was concerned for Roche and his men. I didn't want a survivor to lead the rest of the black ones to the partisan camp. But my reasoning came out as self-serving. I did work with Nilfgaard from time to time. Could be inconvenient if they found out I helped slaughter a unit.

It wasn't long after that Radovid called on me to fulfill my favor to him. He's called the Stern, not the Patient, after all. His witch hunters had located Philippa Eilhart's hideout, but they were having trouble breaking in. I managed to get past her defenses, but the former head of the Lodge of Sorceresses had flown the coop already. I emerged with a piece of her megascope, but declined to tell the head of the witch hunters I'd found anything. He said he didn't believe me. I told him that was his problem. They drew their swords, and I defended myself.

So now I have a choice. I can take the crystal to Radovid and tell him what I found, or I can take it to Triss. It's not clear to me if these paths are mutually exclusive, but there's a chance one or the other could decide Eilhart's fate. It's a minor dilemma, but I think I know already what I'll do.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 August, 2016, 09:36:18 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5JCsO6eblw&feature=youtu.be

the good stuff
the boss who fights with a bowl of lava looks pretty cool

hopefully we can make the lava bowl from his soul and fight with it too
Logarius Wheel 2.0 baby


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 24 August, 2016, 10:43:25 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5JCsO6eblw&feature=youtu.be

the good stuff
the boss who fights with a bowl of lava looks pretty cool

hopefully we can make the lava bowl from his soul and fight with it too
Logarius Wheel 2.0 baby

This was my big take away as well.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 August, 2016, 11:18:04 pm
Kinda feel like I keep screwing stuff up in Witcher 3. I dunno, just seems like a lot of my conversations are ending with people drawing swords lately, and at least one character is now dead who might have been more useful to me alive. Just a bit irritated, but it's the not knowing that's getting to me. I just need to stick to my guns and let stuff play out, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 August, 2016, 09:52:19 pm
My hot take of the day is that Junkrat's concussion mine should do minimal to no damage. That would put it in line with other displacement moves like Lucio's alt-fire, Winston's ultimate, D.Va's boosters, etc. High knockback without the absurd burst damage.

Would it ruin his character? Probably. Would I shed a tear? Absolutely not.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 30 August, 2016, 05:28:09 pm
My hot take of the day is that Junkrat's concussion mine should do minimal to no damage. That would put it in line with other displacement moves like Lucio's alt-fire, Winston's ultimate, D.Va's boosters, etc. High knockback without the absurd burst damage.

Would it ruin his character? Probably. Would I shed a tear? Absolutely not.
It does precisely the damage it needs to.

None to his team, bunches to the enemy team.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 August, 2016, 11:23:01 pm
Fallen behind on my Witcher updates. Will just say for the moment that I've finally made it to Ard Skelling and I am amidst glorious viking people. This is a good thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 August, 2016, 11:30:21 am
Sounds like a great thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 August, 2016, 02:30:21 pm
They actually seem like a pleasant blend of Norse/Scottish/Irish people, so yeah, it is a pretty great thing. There are also druids, so that's a plus.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 September, 2016, 11:09:56 pm
gosh i really just like listening to these people talk, even if they're usually insulting me in some way


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 02 September, 2016, 10:33:55 pm
those were some fun games. I could not for the life of me find my mic so I just went without.

I think we did rather well besides that Hollywood heartbreaker..even if it was a draw.

would have stayed longer if I didn't have to work in the morning


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 September, 2016, 11:26:17 pm
Yeah man, those were great. Would have loved to keep you in the group, haha. We ended up going 4-5-1 total (those of us who played 10 straight). Hollywood was ok, but that game on Numbani was brutal. Can't remember if you were there for that.

Think the front half was a lot kinder to us than the back half.

I ended up in Gold tier at SR 2308. About what I expected based on last season, all and all. So begins the grind for Platinum.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 05 September, 2016, 08:15:08 pm
I still have yet to finish my last 5. I want to get back in with you guys because I don't know if i'll be able to come close to doing well otherwise LOL

I recorded the Dorado game where we absolutely slaughtered the enemy. I'll have to upload it soon.

How do you like Eichenwald?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 September, 2016, 11:21:04 pm
That would be awesome. Send me the link when you do.

And we seem to be playing pretty regular at the moment, so just let me know if you're trying to play.

I haven't played it enough to say for sure, but I like Eichenwalde on principle. Kinda feels like defense has an edge, especially in the middle section, but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's imbalanced or anything. Most of the games I've had there have been fun.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 September, 2016, 10:28:03 pm
Yay I hit platinum tonight. Zarya too stroooooong.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 September, 2016, 12:18:44 am
I've never been a frame rate snob or anything, but playing Destiny after a month of Overwatch almost gave me a headache. My eyes did not know what they were looking at for like 20 minutes. Adjusted eventually, but yeesh.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 September, 2016, 11:25:12 pm
5-0 in competitive Overwatch tonight, including every Control map, which has typically been our biggest weakness.

We also had a game on Anubis where we were on defense in the first round, got snowballed, and then immediately snowballed them back in less time than the other team. One of them rage quit and it was over after that.

Played Zarya most of the night, but I had two games where I actually switched to Winston after we had fallen behind, and from that point we ended up winning.

This game is just so much fun when I feel like I'm playing well.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 September, 2016, 12:52:47 am
No matter how fun a base activity is, if everyone is sober except for one guy who is for some reason taking a bottle of vodka to the face, the activity is going to fall apart.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 September, 2016, 02:52:21 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27gWEd_UKdo

Just at work, counting down the hours.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 September, 2016, 09:34:32 am
Ashes of Ariandel gameplay trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWCt6PVXCvQ

Not actually 7 minutes long, it just has the first trailer tacked on the end.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 21 September, 2016, 10:31:09 am
1. Blood flies, neat. They look super gross and cool.

2. Fenrir Sif fight!

3. Velka fight?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 September, 2016, 11:22:29 am
3 seems like a logical assumption.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 21 September, 2016, 11:33:07 am
I'm about it. Hope both are good, apparently it was said they're the only two bosses in this DLC. If the second one wants to do an Artorias/Old Hunters thing and go big with the boss numbers I certainly won't complain.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 September, 2016, 02:53:23 pm
Well I'm hype for Bloodborne-style duels, which appears to be the basis for at least the first phase of these fights. If there's only two new bosses, that's ok. That snowy outdoor area looks enormous.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 September, 2016, 08:01:38 am
Lost a lot of sleep to Destiny in the past week. The grind is grindy, but it's pretty fun. Wrath of the Machine is poised to be my favorite raid in the game (which is saying a lot). They just nailed the atmosphere. Hopefully my group can finally beat the big boss tonight.

Also the soundtrack for this expansion is too good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 26 September, 2016, 08:12:22 am
Wrath of the Machine

Should be an album name.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 September, 2016, 03:10:54 pm
I'd give it a listen. If the Sepiks Redux mix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLpfjTq2afE) is anything to go on, Destiny is primed for a metal cover album. Granted, the way YouTube works, it would probably just be a matter of compiling the tracks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 September, 2016, 01:16:38 pm
Hopefully my group can finally beat the big boss tonight.
Had to sub in two alternates, so our group picture will have to wait, but we brought him down. Picked up the raid scout rifle, which is ideal. Looking forward to doing it again and getting it down to a science.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 November, 2016, 11:56:53 am
I really want to play and get good with Sombra if for no other reason than she's going to ruin my life as Zarya and Zenyatta.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 07 November, 2016, 08:56:26 am
I've been practicing Hanzo in anticipation for her.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 November, 2016, 10:52:30 pm
Tonight, while playing the Witcher 3, I got into a fist fight with a bear. And also with a rock troll. I'm now the champion of champions.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 November, 2016, 04:52:57 pm
I really need to play that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 November, 2016, 09:47:19 pm
I feel reasonably comfortable saying you'd enjoy it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 December, 2016, 08:55:36 am
goty version was $30 on steam. was tempted, but decided to wait.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 December, 2016, 04:31:34 pm
I own it and played the first few hours and dug it before I stopped playing anything for awhile. It's been daunting to try to get back to it with how huge it is.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 December, 2016, 06:26:59 pm
I have the same problem with starting big games and then not finishing them. It sucks trying to get back into them. Especially because with the Witcher you can start up and look at you quest screen and just kinda.... not know where to begin.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 December, 2016, 06:36:25 pm
I've gotten really bad with it after starting full time. I really have to dedicate myself to a console game anymore to make dents in it, even things I really like.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 December, 2016, 03:14:01 am
I played Inside tonight.

Now I want everyone to play Inside.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 December, 2016, 12:32:57 am
Rode some coattails into Diamond tier to start of Overwatch competitive season 3. So begins the road to Masters. The orbs will fly.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 December, 2016, 08:15:37 am
Games I've played this year. Games finished in bold.

The Witness
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
XCOM 2
Bloodborne
Dark Souls III
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Saint's Row: Gat Out of Hell
LIMBO
INSIDE
The Witcher
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide
Destiny: Rise of Iron
Overwatch


Might be forgetting something, but this seems reasonably accurate.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 December, 2016, 10:26:51 am
I forgot about the MGS run. Good stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 December, 2016, 12:46:42 pm
Yeah it was pretty early in the year. Was a good run, though. I was having fun with MGSV before Dark Souls came out, too, but it wasn't all that hard to put down. I'll get back to it at some point, so hopefully it's not hard to pick up either.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 12 December, 2016, 06:12:23 pm
what were your feelings toward Uncharted 4?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 December, 2016, 06:16:58 pm
I liked it a lot. A good conclusion to that journey.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2017, 04:32:19 pm
Finished the main quest of the Witcher 3 today. Got a good ending. Glad things turned out well without me having to consult guides and whatnot. I'll pick up with the expansions sometime later this year I'm sure.

The plan now is to do FFXV (already ordered it, should get here this week), along with some smaller stuff I've got on Steam. With plenty of Overwatch to fill in the gaps, naturally.

Still have to get back to MGSV, still want to play XCOM 2 again, still want to replay Dark Souls III and Bloodborne. All of these things should happen in time. No rush, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 January, 2017, 09:23:50 am
Started FFXV over the weekend. It's interesting. I feel like I'm not great at the combat, but that hasn't been an issue yet (except for when I walked into a level 52 dungeon in the starting area without realizing it).

I feel like I'm leveling really fast, though? I'm on chapter 3 and my guys are already like level 24. I've done sidequests and stuff, but I seem to get a lot of XP just from fighting the Nifs that drop in every 2 minutes.

Also I wish they hadn't pitched Kingsglaive as a prologue. It is technically, but it technically takes place after/during Chapter 1 of the game. As a result, the weight of what happens as its relayed to Noct is kinda robbed from the game if you already know what has happened and how it went down.

Ignis is my dude.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 January, 2017, 04:09:38 pm
Surprised by the lack of Switch reactions here, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the presentation, so maybe the rest of you feel the same.

Zelda still looks good and it had to be a launch title based on the absence of everything else. Otherwise they showed some wacky Wii-style gimmick games and a bunch of ports? Looks like they're keeping it weird with Mario, which is all well and good, but it's a holiday release. It's gonna be interesting how many units they move based on Zelda alone.

Also that poor translator when Suda was on stage.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 January, 2017, 04:38:34 pm
I liked it a lot and got the preorder in today. Zelda looks great but I'm more surprised by how good Mario looks. New SMT and Bravely team rpg sweetened the pot and now that I know the boxing game doesn't need to use motion controls I might need in, it looks very late 90s arcade in a sense. I didn't really say much because I figured most people didn't care so yeah.

im actually most surprised by a new fucking bomberman of all things


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 13 January, 2017, 09:02:54 pm
nintendo always schedules their directs when i'm in class, and i never got around to watching it after the fact

i'm a weirdo so i'm kinda vaguely hype for fire emblem musou. can't wait for 100% of the roster to be characters i don't give a **** about, of course. aside from that, well, i'm not getting a switch for a long ass time so w/e


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 14 January, 2017, 05:33:18 pm
Surprised by the lack of Switch reactions here, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the presentation, so maybe the rest of you feel the same.

Zelda still looks good and it had to be a launch title based on the absence of everything else. Otherwise they showed some wacky Wii-style gimmick games and a bunch of ports? Looks like they're keeping it weird with Mario, which is all well and good, but it's a holiday release. It's gonna be interesting how many units they move based on Zelda alone.

Also that poor translator when Suda was on stage.
that was pretty much me, yeah

also, having played and 100% beaten Hyrule Warriors, I am if anything anti-hype for FE Musou.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 January, 2017, 11:59:44 pm
i'd be impressed if they made fe warriors worse than hyrule warriors but i also don't like any warriors game so maybe i'm not judging it rationally


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 15 January, 2017, 01:16:05 am
i'm kinda surprised i'm the lone musou supporter here. there's usually at least someone in every other community I'm in who's crazier about it than i am


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 January, 2017, 01:42:03 am
im actually most surprised by a new fucking bomberman of all things
saaaaame

i love me some bomberman, though, so that's definitely a point in this thing's favor


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 January, 2017, 08:45:24 am
ive actually never played a bomberman game for more than like two minutes and my friend is a huge fan so i think he's convinced me to get it

With that and Puyo Puyo and Ultra SF II if the system ends up a haven for weird semi-arcade revivals I'd be pretty much all about it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 January, 2017, 01:46:32 pm
my favorite bomberman games were actually the adventure type ones on the 64, but the classic style is pretty decent, too


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 15 January, 2017, 05:36:49 pm
my favorite bomberman was this one

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c1/BombActZerobox.jpg/250px-BombActZerobox.jpg)

I've never played a bomberman game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 January, 2017, 06:37:38 pm
Back when I worked at Gamestop, some buddies of mine that worked at a different store told me about how they once signed that game out just to see how bad it was. They played some online and noticed they kept playing one guy over and over again, and later checked to see that this guy had platinumed the game and also put a ton of hours into it. I imagine he was also a serial killer.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 16 January, 2017, 06:18:58 pm
i'm kinda surprised i'm the lone musou supporter here. there's usually at least someone in every other community I'm in who's crazier about it than i am
I was crazy about DW back in the PS2 era, I haven't played any of the current stuff besides Pirate Warriors 3 which was fun.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 16 January, 2017, 07:39:23 pm
oh ****, yeah, i forgot xiahou dun (i think?) was your spirit animal


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Arnaham on 17 January, 2017, 02:56:01 am
I haven't actually played a Musou game so I just say they're bad because that's the cool thing to do


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 17 January, 2017, 06:28:02 pm
oh ****, yeah, i forgot xiahou dun (i think?) was your spirit animal
He probably still is.

Also I think people who hate on Musou are those people who think it's too easy but never bothered playing on Chaos difficulty.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 February, 2017, 11:42:07 pm
https://twitter.com/subjunctivitis/status/827381443802206208

with this out of the way, i can finally go to altissia


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 February, 2017, 08:15:30 am
big lookin fish


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 February, 2017, 04:04:04 pm
the "devil of the cygillan"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 February, 2017, 05:10:12 pm
that's a song on my next doom album that will never be made


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 February, 2017, 11:23:50 pm
Just got to the part of the game that everybody hates and I don't hate it yet, so I guess the stuff that is hate-worthy is around the next corner.

I've previously survived the chapter where Gladio is an unrepentant dick, so whatever this is can't be that much worse.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 February, 2017, 12:28:55 pm
I beat the main story over the weekend. Complete trainwreck, of course. This might have really been a pretty good game if they had finished it.

Still looking forward to going back and doing the post-game stuff back in what I'll call the World of Fun. Should tide me over until Horizon comes out in two weeks (!).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Styles on 13 February, 2017, 03:37:18 pm
You suffered through it too? lol

I can't think of a recent game with such high highs and low lows as FFXV



Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 February, 2017, 08:03:34 am
Yeah it's pretty remarkable how good the first half of the game is compared to the second half. Like they should definitely build on that open world section going forward (and fix some of its problems because it wasn't without them either). But basically once you leave Altissia, it just takes a nose dive.

What I wish had happened is that instead of taking the train ride through the other continent, it should have just fast-tracked you to Gralea somehow (maybe instead of killing Luna, the Empire could have captured her, forcing you to get there with all haste). Then stuff could have gone down there as it did, and then they put you back into the World of Ruin for longer than 20 minutes, more like FFVI.

Upon arrival on the shore, Talcott then would drive you to Lestallum since that's apparently where everything is actually happening. Then there would be a series of quests branching out of there, similar to the front half of the game. Those notes you find about how the demon particles are blocking out the sunlight? You would instead learn about that phenomenon over the course of those quests. Ignis telling you about Ardyn and why he's the ultimate evil or whatever? Maybe you go find some buried tombs and figure that out for yourself.

That might have helped it a little bit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 February, 2017, 08:16:40 pm
http://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-xv-s-user-interface-is-so-bad-1792396935

Quote
It’s striking that this game somehow remains likable despite its woeful technical shortcomings, and that it can stand up to a holistic critique while withering so pitifully in the face of a more specific one.

And yet I'm still playing it because there's more monsters to kill and stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 February, 2017, 08:56:12 pm
jesus some of that sounds terrifying


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 February, 2017, 09:00:35 pm
It kind of is looking at it like this. And yet having played through the game, I'm surprised by how much of that stuff I just internalized and was like "Ok I guess this is how it works" without giving it more thought.

Like the Jump and Interact are the same button thing was definitely infuriating through the entire game, but I just kinda rolled with the other punches. The patchwork story was just so much more distressing to me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 16 February, 2017, 12:54:08 am
honestly, i don't think i've been annoyed by any game's UI pretty much ever, even ones where a lot of people **** about them


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Arnaham on 16 February, 2017, 07:54:57 am
I thought the open world stuff sucked and the only good parts were in the latter half (which mostly wasn't good either), so


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 February, 2017, 08:36:41 am
honestly, i don't think i've been annoyed by any game's UI pretty much ever, even ones where a lot of people **** about them
the UI in the Witcher 1 was pretty bad, but I still got used to it

actually all witcher games have flawed UI in one way or another

but more broadly than that, I guess any game where you're picking up a ton of loot and trying to sort it in your inventory is going to run into problems

I thought the open world stuff sucked and the only good parts were in the latter half (which mostly wasn't good either), so
ok arminhan


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 16 February, 2017, 10:31:54 am
how much of a difference would it have made if it was a waifu roadtrip and not a husbando roadtrip armin-kun


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Arnaham on 16 February, 2017, 06:05:45 pm
zero


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 February, 2017, 09:22:41 am
looks like horizon's getting strong reviews


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 February, 2017, 10:48:43 pm
There's no way I'm gonna finish all the end game stuff in FFXV before Tuesday, so whoops. Probably do whatever I can tomorrow night and then get back to it at some point in the future.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Gaffit on 27 February, 2017, 09:39:25 pm
There's no way I'm gonna finish all the end game stuff in FFXV before Tuesday, so whoops. Probably do whatever I can tomorrow night and then get back to it at some point in the future.

Have you done the Pitioss Dungeon yet? Cause... damn that dungeon...


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 February, 2017, 08:19:37 am
There's no way I'm gonna finish all the end game stuff in FFXV before Tuesday, so whoops. Probably do whatever I can tomorrow night and then get back to it at some point in the future.

Have you done the Pitioss Dungeon yet? Cause... damn that dungeon...
I never got around to it, no. I heard it's simultaneously amazing and awful, but also that I needed a couple of hours of uninterrupted time to complete it (because they thought it would be a good idea to not let you save in dungeons), and I haven't set aside that time.

I still want to do it at some point. Haven't looked up anything beyond how to get to it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 March, 2017, 08:44:53 am
People are liking that there zaldo game

For my part, I picked up Horizon on Tuesday. I'm enjoying it, and it's got that "hard to stop playing" feel of open world games when I sit down with it, but it's so far not monopolizing my thought processes during the day. Instead I'm still kinda thinking about Overwatch, even though it's apparently in a rough state after the new Omnic Crisis update. I want to do my placements for season 4, though, and I might sit down and do that tonight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 March, 2017, 12:21:56 pm
i hope the new robot character can throw cars like the intro video makes me believe

I haven't played since the Christmas stuff, hoping the new characters is neat though so I have an excuse to hop back in at some point.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 March, 2017, 12:36:12 pm
update she does not throw cars horribly disappointed


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 March, 2017, 02:27:11 pm
no she doesn't, but she does look cool

I'll probably mess around with her (whenever the fervor dies down and she becomes available to even play).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 02 March, 2017, 07:38:53 pm
Looking forward to the new hero.

With that being said, how have your episodes of The Adventures of Bastion been?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 March, 2017, 08:09:41 am
Not too bad honestly.

I did my season 4 placements last night. A friend and I have decided to do something of a social experiment. We did our placements solo and we stuck with one character. I played Zarya, went 4-6, and got placed in platinum at 2804, which seems about right considering I hadn't played competitive since like December. It feels pretty good to get that kind of placing while mainlining a tank, too. I had gold or silver elims in most of the games I played (which might explain some of those losses, honestly), and I averaged 3.7 medals.

By comparison, my buddy played all Mercy, went 8-2, and got placed 3200 something (he's more of a natural).

There was a Bastion in most of the games I played, I would say, but it wasn't like he really took over in any of them. It was just like he was there as a normal character that people pick in normal circumstances. That's what it felt like anyway. I don't mind having him around as it's free energy for Zarya, even if it can be easy to fly too close to the sun.

I'll need to do placements on PC at some point too, so I'll see if anything's different on there.

Have you played any since the patch?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 March, 2017, 10:43:44 pm
Horizon is one of those games where I spend a lot of time getting very little done. But the end results are usually worth it.

https://twitter.com/subjunctivitis/status/838949539339988992


In other news, I got back to Diamond last night, and this time I did it without the help of angry teenagers. Felt really good. I had a Zarya game on King's Row where I had 62 elims and 58% kill participation. Next I'll see if I can beat my career high (3144, I think).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 March, 2017, 02:46:29 pm
Trying to capture some more video these days.

Here's a defensive hold on King's Row from a few days ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVyJ5sQlCFk

And here's a nice POTG from back in November probably:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz1S7bwYSCA


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2017, 04:23:59 am
And here's a full game from tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZDAiL4DQds


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 March, 2017, 11:22:18 pm
Uploaded two more matches from the weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zmOblgHLH8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99tWh27oWdM

It's neat actually messing around with videos and stuff. Bit time consuming, though, so I probably won't do this many in one weekend in the future.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 17 March, 2017, 11:22:47 am
I'll have to watch those later.

But you and I had similar placements. I played Ana and Zen most of the time and ended up getting 4 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses. Got 2764. :/

Ridiculous how your friend got placed at 3200 playing Mercy of all things. That's actually insane.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2017, 12:17:57 pm
I mean he's not just some Mercy, he's quite good with her. But it's crazy to think he placed that high given how much it seems to favor medals and stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2017, 08:21:09 am
I'm becoming disturbed by the amount of griefing I'm encountering in Overwatch. Been matched with several people who were intentionally trying to lose in order to lower their SR. Sometimes it's obvious just from their play (an Ana who repeatedly ran behind the enemy team and just stood their waving). Other times we've found out when my friend messaged them and said "why are you doing this."

When they messaged back to say what they were doing, my friend said "Ok, well you should find a group of six to do this with. Otherwise you're griefing."

Their response: "no toxicity is fun lol"

--

Still in Overwatch, this weekend gave rise to a trilogy of Hollywood matches: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQyHqC65ox8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDysmi5dD-s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTt9nKKbtqk

--

In Horizon news, I'm still taking my time with the game. It's pretty easy to group up errands around the map and spend a nice chunk of time in one environment. This weekend I was mostly in the jungles of the southern reaches, which is infested with the machines that have optic camouflage, lay out stealth mines, and that shoot lethal darts at you. So yeah, fun.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2017, 02:02:26 am
Somehow I don't think long form stuff is really y'all's bag, so I made a montage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr9Dx3sRdiQ

And probably won't do another one for a while because it was way more of a pain to do. Reasonably pleased with the results, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 25 March, 2017, 05:07:49 am
That last scene though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2017, 07:25:14 pm
People seem to like that one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2017, 04:17:49 pm
*pops head in*

nice use of c&c music


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2017, 10:41:16 pm
it's a solid tune


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 March, 2017, 03:07:38 pm
https://youtu.be/rQ4i0AT8c-M

let the city burn so long as sweeper bot lives


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 28 March, 2017, 03:54:37 pm
Saw a lot of people talking about that and all I could think of was "oh hey random played a lot of that game I think" so you and Destiny are now forever linked in my brain.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 28 March, 2017, 06:34:54 pm
"oh hey it's the game that girl i went on a date with once talked about a lot and stopped coming to sunday meet-ups because she was too busy playing it"

also i watched some of random's highlights and oh wow his voice really is really deep. didn't expect a cutie like random to be a bass


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 28 March, 2017, 06:48:38 pm
oh hey i see bungie hasn't stopped shitting out oooky spooky mysterious space **** yet


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2017, 08:15:11 am
Saw a lot of people talking about that and all I could think of was "oh hey random played a lot of that game I think" so you and Destiny are now forever linked in my brain.
You're not alone in this among people that know me and also know about Destiny.

also i watched some of random's highlights and oh wow his voice really is really deep. didn't expect a cutie like random to be a bass
stop it you're making me blush maniac-chan

(I'm also aware that my headset makes my voice sound fuzzy; the ear parts are better than the mic)

oh hey i see bungie hasn't stopped shitting out oooky spooky mysterious space **** yet
go back to your obscure manga, saltopus


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 March, 2017, 08:22:56 am
some real slytherin shit going on in this topic right now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2017, 08:27:40 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oGzJEyuUYs

I'd agree that the most fun I had in DSIII was hanging out after I had beaten a boss and then helping other people beat that boss. In my inevitable return, I think I'm gonna try to be much more fashion conscious.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 29 March, 2017, 04:14:08 pm
do what i do and spend 40 minutes trying to make the most androgynous man you can and then dress him up in lady's clothes

no i don't have any problems, i swear


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2017, 08:10:49 pm
I don't really have the patience for detailed character creators like that, so I'll probably either just use a very similar one to last time or Monster Factory that shit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2017, 12:01:47 am
definitely spent like three hours tonight playing destiny by myself

feels like coming home


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 March, 2017, 12:06:23 am
remember when you only played nintendo games


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2017, 08:04:15 am
we don't speak of those days, youef


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 March, 2017, 04:29:05 pm
i feel like UF prolly went through that phase at some point too


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 March, 2017, 04:31:01 pm
better days imo i legit miss only caring about like three franchises was much easier


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 March, 2017, 04:41:23 pm
oh have you guys seen my old posts?

literally all I played was sonic and argued with raizor over stupid things like whether or not secret rings is considered a spin-off game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 March, 2017, 05:28:21 pm
is it a spin off or not?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 30 March, 2017, 06:53:16 pm
I think to define spinoffs you'd first have to define what they're spinoffs of.

And Sonic has never been that coherent.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 March, 2017, 08:13:59 pm
is it a spin off or not?
sh(http://)it yeah you better believe it's a spin-off


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 March, 2017, 08:22:26 pm
i trust your judgment over raizors


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 March, 2017, 11:57:46 pm
i sometimes wonder what happened to raizor

(alright i kinda assumed you were a nintendo nerd 'cause like, 80% of everyone else was)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2017, 12:14:37 am
this is a smash bros website after all


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 31 March, 2017, 01:26:00 am
I was watching a GDQ stream of Sonic '06 a few months back. They usually read the donator's comments, and they read one of Raizor's comments under his real name, so he's still alive I guess. That was actually total surprise when I heard it.

He mellowed out pretty substantially when I started actively talking to him late into high school. I wonder what he's up to these days.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 31 March, 2017, 03:30:05 am
this is a smash bros website after all

i think it's less that this is a smash bros community and more that everyone was less than 18 years old when it was made


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2017, 07:51:38 am
nah that can't be it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 April, 2017, 09:11:48 pm
Getting near the end of Horizon, pretty sure. Cool stuff is happening.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 April, 2017, 05:08:10 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9MVjLDO5r8

Soloqueue gave me a chance to try something different. Some of my deep voice uninterrupted for you, maniac-chan.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 April, 2017, 10:48:00 am
Getting near the end of Horizon, pretty sure. Cool stuff is happening.
Finished them and got the Platinum trophy no less (though I'm sitting at 95.5% in game completion). I'll note again that the robot dinosaurs brought me to the game, but there's a lot more to it. Would recommend to anyone who likes open world games but thinks they need to be made with more restraint and thought.




Things have taken something of a sour turn in Overwatch. My one friend who kind of anchors the rest of our group has left the rest of us in the dust. He made Masters a few weeks ago and has since decided he should go for Grand Masters, too. The trouble being that once you hit Masters, you can't group with anyone who isn't within 500 of your skill rating.

For a while this wasn't a huge deal because he and I and a couple of other friends could still go in. I hover between 3100 and 3200 typically, and when we queue'd together, we'd go up and down within the same window. But then he went and partnered with this Pharah player we know who has like a 73% win rate, and that put him up in the 3700s, past where any of the rest of us can play with him.

Meanwhile, another friend is stuck down in ELO hell at like 2600-2700, and another one teeters on the brink at like 3000. I could play with both of them... but I'm reluctant to do so because our combined skill rating might match us with teammates who aren't reliable. And losing wouldn't get me any closer to playing with our anchor again.

It all sucks because we went into the season saying it wasn't about the climb. It was about "getting competitive points" to save up for golden guns. The rank didn't matter, it was really just about playing together and keeping competitive chill and fun.

Well my one friend, the anchor, got his golden staff for Mercy. And then a funny thing happened. He immediately started talking about what his next golden gun would be. But he wasn't sure which character to get it for. Almost as though it wasn't really about getting a golden gun at all. Now with this push for Grand Masters, he's moving in the opposite direction of getting the band back together. He keeps saying he's "done" once he gets there, but I don't really know what that means. It's not actually in his character to de-rank by throwing games, and it's harder to do that than you might think anyway.

There's still quickplay in the end, but I dunno. It's kind of not the same after having as much fun in comp.


This tends to happen to me, too, where I run into problems with friends who have unlimited free time compared to my more restricted schedule at work.


As a final note, I placed in low gold on PC Overwatch. Would like to see if I could possibly get to platinum there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 April, 2017, 06:46:50 pm
Sounds like a huge bummer.

This tends to happen to me, too, where I run into problems with friends who have unlimited free time compared to my more restricted schedule at work.

i too understand this, although getting random kof matches probably isn't as complex as keeping a team organized for something


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2017, 10:53:24 pm
Enjoying the Uprising mode in OW a lot. Takes all the grind out of trying to get event boxes, both by racking up the arcade wins and just through normal level up.

I kinda really want the Blackwatch McCree skin even though I never play him, but I also look at my 5000~ currency and know I need to just save it to buy Zarya skins in the next event.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 13 April, 2017, 12:48:14 pm
Have you played comp sinxe the patch? There's some weird bugs going on.

I lost a game on Anubis even though a teammate and I were standing on the point. There was no "contesting", the tick just instantly capped. I can't win for losing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 April, 2017, 05:18:33 pm
I saw something like that on reddit where the match ended even though they still had a full bar of overtime. I'd wager it has something to do with the new assault scoring system, although they tested that for so many weeks it's a wonder they didn't catch it.

Mei is also broken currently. Her primary fire and ult no longer slow people down.

Hopefully the fixes are coming in hot. They don't usually let gamebreaking stuff like this slip through.

Edit: Also: https://twitter.com/numlocked/status/852642705142202368


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 13 April, 2017, 07:13:20 pm
Did not know that about Mei. That's awful but hilarious at the same time.

I really hope none of the teams experience that instant cap BS for the Overwatch monthly melee tomorrow


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 April, 2017, 11:07:33 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIVmaMIlJU8

Quickplay is still fun at least.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 April, 2017, 11:52:21 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1MeX6cFr7Y

Tried another editing thing. Kinda mangled it a bit, tbh.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 April, 2017, 11:11:58 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p7YGq0-i7U

This was a fun one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 April, 2017, 11:08:57 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Il22kqloyQ


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 April, 2017, 10:36:16 pm
I spent most of tonight playing heroes of the storm

i feel unclean


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 26 April, 2017, 12:32:46 am
i feel unclean
you should


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 April, 2017, 05:23:52 am
gross

did you use diablo at least


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 April, 2017, 08:04:22 am
he wasn't in the free rotation

i used Leoric mostly, but also some zerg thing and The Butcher



i'm only doing this for Officer D.Va :u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 April, 2017, 11:39:54 am
well leoric rules so you get a pass


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 April, 2017, 12:29:53 pm
i saw a big skeleton king guy and was like "this will do"

plus when he dies you get to hang out and haunt people, which has to be the best ability in the game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 April, 2017, 11:27:35 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWx5RzQDNOo

only anime music is allowed


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 May, 2017, 10:05:28 am
Now that Uprising is over, I think I need to find another game to break up my time. Been getting some serious MMR fatigue with OW anyway, and I think I just have more fun when I've got something else to play.

Nier: Automata is kinda at the top of my list, but Prey also comes out this weekend and people are saying good things about that based on the demo and stuff. It's a busy weekend for me so I probably won't make a move on anything until next week.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 May, 2017, 11:10:24 am
I have a buddy who is hugely into the Nier games and my understanding is that Automata works better if you also played the first one. I don't know how true that is but that's something to consider.

youef might be a better source for nierformation though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 May, 2017, 11:12:26 am
also if you play prey tell me how it is i haven't played a non multiplayer fps in like forever and i need to scratch the itch


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 May, 2017, 12:42:41 pm
Hmm, I'll check with my friend who played it to confirm, but I had heard the opposite about Automata. Namely that it wasn't as important to play the first games. I don't really have any desire to play the first one regardless, so I'd probably look up a synopsis or something.

What I've heard of Prey so far (and I actually watched like the first hour, sort of accidentally) is that it's trying to do a spiritual successor to System Shock kind of thing, like even moreso than BioShock. IDK. I definitely want to read some reviews to see if the game holds up past peoples' initial impressions.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 May, 2017, 03:59:53 pm
everything i've read about the meaty details of automata implies that it's not important, but an LP of the first nier might be a good read regardless, especially over actually playing it. that game isn't the unmitigated trash fire drakengard 1 was, but it's still pretty much a slog to play lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 02 May, 2017, 12:10:08 pm
https://youtu.be/DMjPfJg0fA0

THOUGHTS


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 May, 2017, 12:16:59 pm
Looks derivative as heck, but it's a bit early to write it off entirely, I guess.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 02 May, 2017, 06:21:00 pm
https://youtu.be/DMjPfJg0fA0

THOUGHTS
Decidedly meh. It's pretty clearly a Souls-clone, and it looks like it wants to go back to Brown Is Real-isms. Doesn't even have the weight and meatiness that combat in DS has.

Bout the only thing I can say I like is that the character designs pop quite well, and the enemies look very clean, unlike Souls' decidedly grimy aesthetic.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 May, 2017, 12:32:09 pm
Went into No Limits on OW with some friends and we were all playing as Officer D.Va. Fun Police Squadron in full effect. Most fun I've had playing the game in a short while.

Also I started Furi the other night, currently on the third boss. I'm bad at parrying (shocker) and that's probably gonna be a dealbreaker.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 May, 2017, 07:58:34 am
I beat the third boss last night and got close to beating the next guy, too, but his final phase is crazy.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 May, 2017, 10:42:42 pm
Making pretty steady progress through Furi. Think I'm on boss 7 now? It's satisfying to finally take down a boss after however many tries.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 May, 2017, 09:42:00 pm
Ok well I think I beat Furi. This game was completely worth it for the fight with The Edge. That was good stuff.

There's like a secret final boss after the credits though that is the bullet helliest bullet hell to ever bullet hell and I'm kinda not having it. Might give it another shot later, but I think I'm pretty much done.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 12 May, 2017, 07:04:22 pm
Have you tried out Paladins?

It's surprisingly decent. I feel like this is what Battleborn should have been.

Ironically enough...I enjoy me some Bomb King.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 May, 2017, 08:08:38 pm
I haven't tried it, no. I kinda feel like I only need one of those kinds of games in my life at a time.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 May, 2017, 02:00:00 am
There's like a secret final boss after the credits though that is the bullet helliest bullet hell to ever bullet hell
I beat this tonight, and I also beat the DLC boss. There's a super extra optional god boss left, but whatever. It's only available on Furier difficulty and is basically the devs saying "Let's make the hardest boss possible with our resources."

Cool game.

Proooooobably gonna pick up Prey, but I dunno if I really have a good opportunity to play it this weekend.

The other thing I could do without spending money is actually play Doom.

Or I could get Nier.

Choices, whoo.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 May, 2017, 12:37:10 pm
play nier


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 May, 2017, 03:00:22 pm
if you choose nier or prey i'll gladly accept your copy of doom to play in your stead


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 13 May, 2017, 08:51:09 pm
please don't feed UF's newly-developed yoko taro fetish


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 May, 2017, 09:02:20 pm
lol i went with prey

it's cool, everyday objects now give me anxiety


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 May, 2017, 09:24:09 pm
please don't feed UF's newly-developed yoko taro fetish
it's not new

i've been playing his games for a whole 1.5 years now thank you very much


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 14 May, 2017, 12:48:47 am
if you went back in time to 8 years ago when i smashed my copy of drakengard in half that the creator of that game would become super famous and popular mostly because of word of mouth originating from a really good lp, i wouldn't believe you


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 May, 2017, 12:01:57 pm
tell me stories of prey

i remember my buddy in high school praising drakengard and telling me i needed to play it so imagine my surprise when i found it its janky


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 May, 2017, 12:09:27 pm
also imo yoko taro's best game is def time crisis ii


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 14 May, 2017, 12:42:51 pm
i remember my buddy in high school praising drakengard and telling me i needed to play it so imagine my surprise when i found it its janky

i hope you have cut off all contact with this person and also maybe dispatched him and left his body in a shallow grave or something


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 May, 2017, 01:22:55 pm
nah he's a good dude he got me into metal so i forgive him many transgressions


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 May, 2017, 02:29:54 pm
tell me stories of prey
don't have too many crazy stories yet

just the standard "that medkit just tried to kill me" tale

I spent a long time crawling around being very careful because my suit was at 0% integrity and I couldn't find a repair bot, so that made me pretty risk averse.

I had a brief space walk earlier, and I nope'd out of a room that had an electric Phantom in it. I'll try to let something more horrible happen to me today.



Title: Re: random games
Post by: TBizzle on 14 May, 2017, 07:16:56 pm
i saw a Prey clip where someone turned into a towel to crawl through a tiny space so yeah Prey looks pretty sick


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 May, 2017, 07:39:51 pm
That's a thing you can do but I can't do it yet.

My scariest Prey stories so far are the bugs.

The game crashed after my first twenty minutes, causing me to replay those 20 minutes (I spam quick save now).

It crashed another time when, in the heat of battle, I hit Tab and my mouse wheel at the same time. Tab switches between your two most recent weapons. Mouse wheel brings up the weapon wheel. Apparently it didn't like the idea of doing both of those at the same time. Aside from that there have been a couple of times where it gets hung up on something, but I can't tell exactly what.

There's also a thing where my gun models just disappear. The hands are still there, but they're empty. This is inconvenient because most of the ammo counters in the game are diegetic to the weapons. This one usually goes away after a few seconds, and it's only happened once while I was actually in combat.

And then the most annoying (aside from the crashes) is that alt-tabbing out of the game causes the in game cursor to persist on screen outside of menus. Very distracting. Performance also drops after alt-tabbing, and last time I tried I couldn't actually crouch properly. It was like the camera was clipping downward into the character model, so I could only see out the top.


Still enjoying it, but some stability patches would definitely be nice.

anyway i just got my first alien power and promptly injured myself with it

and my suit integrity is back to 0%


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 May, 2017, 10:17:39 pm
ok I got the mimic power

just used it to get through a broken window, but it's a start



also i've apparently had a stack of suit repair kits sitting in my inventory for a while

go me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 May, 2017, 06:34:50 pm
i saw a Prey clip where someone turned into a towel to crawl through a tiny space so yeah Prey looks pretty sick

this is really making me want to play it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 May, 2017, 10:21:43 pm
i fought some weavers and technopaths tonight

not related, but i also died to some weavers and technopaths tonight


also I realized I had the template for neuromods, but then I only got to make like five before a popup told me that some jerk installed DRM on the template. good one, arkane.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 May, 2017, 03:10:39 pm
Based on the reveal today, Destiny 2 is going to live or die based on how well they implement the new approach to activities. If its as immediate and dynamic as their pitch, things will be good. If not, then this is more like Destiny 1.5. It looks like they boot-strapped the existing systems onto a prettier engine, right down to the UI, which is totally fine. The UI is a natural fit for PC, and the gameplay always felt great. It's all about what they decide to do with that.

The in game LFG stuff looks smart. Something that always should have been but probably wasn't possible for whatever reason.

If they had confirmed cross-save between PC and console, I probably would have pre-ordered the game today. Destiny is a game I break rules for, for whatever reason.

It's an amusing twist of fate that they're distributing via Blizzard. My Destiny clan has become my primary Overwatch party, so it's like we're not really having to go very far in a way. Feels like a convergence of ecosystems.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 May, 2017, 09:53:34 pm
So I knew if you took too many alien powers in Prey, the turrets would turn on you. But apparently "too many" is three powers? I thought I was just coming up on hacked turrets, but after there wasn't a Technopath anywhere nearby, I've realized I probably crossed the line. Which is annoying.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 May, 2017, 09:34:23 pm
I dislike the new quad DPS meta in Overwatch far more than the Bastion meta from March.

Also
So I knew if you took too many alien powers in Prey, the turrets would turn on you. But apparently "too many" is three powers? I thought I was just coming up on hacked turrets, but after there wasn't a Technopath anywhere nearby, I've realized I probably crossed the line. Which is annoying.
I just had a sidequest that involved setting up a firing line of turrets in front of a door so that when the door was opened, the turrets would mow down the Typhon on the other side. Standing behind the turrets, they don't have a problem with me. But to open the door, I had to key in a combination. So I had to first deactivate the turrets, unlock the door, and then reactivate them. And in the ensuing chaos, one of the security team died.

so that was cool


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 May, 2017, 10:36:29 pm
Pretty excited about the balance changes to Reaper/Roadhog/McCree. This quad DPS meta needs a shake-up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 June, 2017, 01:38:08 pm
Finally kicking off season 5. New mic hype.

My friend going off as Sombra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1skfTtrsfsc

And some clutch Rein play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_7n4lpBr9E

2-2 in placements so far. I'm not doing the one-trick Zarya thing this season (stopped doing that halfway through last season anyway), so hopefully that will extend the shelf life on this one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 June, 2017, 09:52:55 am
the wolfenstein ii trailer pleases me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 June, 2017, 03:00:18 pm
I was pretty amazed by it. I bought a copy of New Order like two years ago and never played it, I might need to get on that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 June, 2017, 05:43:56 pm
you definitely should

it's longer than some single player FPS campaigns, but doesn't overstay its welcome


also XCOM 2 expansion hype


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 June, 2017, 01:48:37 pm
I've gotten to a point in Prey where, regardless of how the narrative concludes, the gameplay has reached such a grinding halt by virtue of how much backtracking (and therefore loading screens) the game makes you do. The combat has also ramped up due to the presence of a certain late game enemy type, and more combat means less of what I liked about the game. I'm on normal mode, too, so it's not that I'm even struggling, it's just a lot of rinse and repeat.

Also I wish my suspicion had been wrong, but of course the Nightmare just respawns once you manage to kill it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 June, 2017, 10:54:26 pm
I beat Prey.

The combat actually deescalates very rapidly after the part I was talking about, and there's one crazy moment in the leadup to the end that I thought was cool.

As for the ending itself, I can see why some people wouldn't like it, but I found it... liberating. And fitting.

Issues aside, I'd say it was worthwhile, and I could see myself playing it again at some unknown point in the future.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 June, 2017, 09:53:11 pm
Started Doom. This could be more of an issue with my PC, but the load times seem really long? So when I had three really stupid deaths in the second level, that kinda took me out of it a bit.

But aside from that it's great.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 June, 2017, 10:31:54 pm
Doom update: literally killed the cyberdemon with 1 HP left. Feels good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 July, 2017, 02:07:56 am
I beat Doom. The last boss was the only one that managed to kill me, but only once. Very fun game. Probably one I would jump back into to try and find more secrets and stuff.


In the meantime, I've downloaded Hollow Knight and Nier: Automata. Started Hollow Knight tonight, and it's adorable. Might try to split time between those games, though rather than playing one and then the other.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 July, 2017, 10:38:32 am
It pleases me to see Doom back on top these days.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 July, 2017, 01:37:14 am
Started Nier. Rode a moose. So far, so good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 July, 2017, 08:58:30 pm
Nice. Keep me updated because I literally don't know anyone irl who has played this game. My friends suck.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 July, 2017, 11:21:26 pm
I'm in the forest zone currently. I'm kinda just doing a mix of story and side quests based on what's convenient. Fast travel has helped a lot.

Also I got Ending K tonight.

Oh and this exceptionally awkward moment happened tonight:

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/852720134087365689/C432819A81ED2CBE159851FE99C0613A68D71B23/

(it's hard to see, but an android I revived is just going ham on this dude's pet boar in the background)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 July, 2017, 07:17:37 am
What a jerk.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 July, 2017, 10:41:39 pm
become as gods


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 13 July, 2017, 10:43:57 pm
inb4 uf

EDIT: also on a scale of 1 to 10, how headpattable is 9S


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 July, 2017, 11:49:09 pm
do you like adam and eve maniac


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 13 July, 2017, 11:58:10 pm
this is not my topic uf, please reserve such questions for random

random, do you like adam and eve


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2017, 07:54:40 am
EDIT: also on a scale of 1 to 10, how headpattable is 9S
8.5

random, do you like adam and eve
they're ok. I don't feel like I know enough about them yet to make a judgment


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 July, 2017, 01:14:08 am
Finished Route A. On to Route B.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 July, 2017, 08:17:04 am
Pretty heartbreaking collapse by Punk at Evo, but I guess there's not much you can do when faced with a literal demon.


Just got back to Pascal's Village in route B after fighting Simone again. God damn Sartre-bot, this is all your fault.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 July, 2017, 08:37:09 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7AsNMlRmO4

Maybe the last time I'll play Destiny 1. Going out on a good note.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 July, 2017, 10:09:05 pm
nier update:

romeos and juliets was a quality production


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 July, 2017, 01:05:59 am
I am now on Route C.

I get the feeling everything prior to this was just an elaborate prologue.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 July, 2017, 08:05:59 am
Yeah, Route C actually changes things up at that point.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 July, 2017, 10:47:39 pm
9S is not having a good time in this route


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 August, 2017, 08:54:07 pm
Finished with C, D, and E.

I liked this game a lot.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 04 August, 2017, 06:49:04 am
Favorite song, character, boss, area, go.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 August, 2017, 08:09:31 am
Favorite songs: Birth of a Wish, Vague Hope, The End of YoRHa (Also Kaine (Salvation) but that sort of doesn't count)

Favorite character: Pod 042

Favorite boss: I guess Adam in the Copied City? Or maybe Simone. I dunno, the boss fights after a point didn't really feel all that unique.

Favorite area: I liked that valley beneath the rope bridge because I didn't even know it was there for like most of my first two routes.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 August, 2017, 01:07:35 am
People are so quick to give up in Overwatch these days. This goes for my friends and for the randos.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 August, 2017, 09:58:17 pm
Might have had a breakthrough in Hollow Knight tonight. Fought through a pretty tough area and then encountered a boss and managed to beat him first try. I got that rush that I'm used to getting in Souls games from working stuff out on the fly. Felt good.

I also went back to MGSV for the first time in a year and a half and man I do not remember how to play that game. It might become one of those where I look up walkthroughs without guilt, at least until I find my sea legs again.


One month until Destiny 2 comes out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 August, 2017, 10:19:16 pm
i defeated the mantis lords and now i am wandering around a dark area filled with spiders that reanimate corpses

maybe a bug game was a bad idea


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 08 August, 2017, 07:16:17 pm
thoughts on lifeguard Mccree?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 August, 2017, 07:49:08 pm
He's pretty great. I like the Desert Seagull.

Grillmaster is cool, too.

Zarya's voiceline is the best thing, though.


Now if only the servers weren't on fire.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 08 August, 2017, 08:03:23 pm
Wow that voiceline is actually perfect.

In queue: 40000 players ahead of you

jesus


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 August, 2017, 08:57:17 pm
I was engineering the greatest Lucio ball comeback of all time when I got DC'd.


Just gonna wait until tomorrow to try and play more.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 August, 2017, 10:40:28 pm
It's easier to get sidetracked in Hollow Knight than you might think, even when the enemies are clearly tougher than they should be for my current level of progress.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 August, 2017, 02:04:35 am
after feeling lost for most of the day in Hollow Knight, I just got one of the coolest movement abilities I've ever received in a video game, and even if I go back to being lost now, it'll be ok because I can just traverse the map using this super dash move



also I played a ton of good overwatch today, so maybe all hope is not lost


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 August, 2017, 02:14:12 am
Hollow Knight is real good. I've uncovered most of the map now and have one more seal on the big locked door to do. Feel like I'm pretty close to the end.


Also I got back to Diamond, and I also placed 2810 in Copa Lucio Ball. Me and two friends accidentally got pretty competent at it. So that's an extra 300 competitive points to bag once the event is over.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 August, 2017, 06:45:29 pm
https://youtu.be/-0mJXZgDc4s

My friend made a montage from my Zenyatta clips.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 September, 2017, 12:33:57 pm
I beat Hollow Knight last night. Got the true ending I guess? Or at least there was a super final boss that kicked my ass a lot. But then I watched a YouTube video and realized my approach was just super wrong. Really good game, though.


And now I'm playing Destiny 2. So far, so good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 September, 2017, 01:51:07 pm
one of my buddies is slowly streaming hollow knight and while i like all the cute bugs and the pleasant soundtrack, watching him play it bores the hell out of me. def. never gonna pick that up lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 September, 2017, 11:40:14 pm
yeah it's got the kind of gameplay that's more satisfying to play than it is to watch

the moveset is very small. like you get special sword moves, but only one is useful, and even then I stopped using it after a point

it feels good to play though and the platforming is strong, and I was pretty enchanted by the world

so yeah. that's my defense of the thing i liked


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 September, 2017, 02:08:10 pm
https://subjunctivitis.com/2017/09/15/things-heard-while-playing-destiny-2/

Wrote up some initial thoughts after a week of playing D2.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 September, 2017, 04:47:46 pm
stop making them sound appealing to me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 September, 2017, 12:46:26 pm
Funny enough, Kirk Hamilton wrote a review that is similar in premise to my post but obviously a thousand times better realized.

https://kotaku.com/destiny-2-the-kotaku-review-1818530629


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 September, 2017, 01:01:26 am
Beat the raid for the first time tonight with my buddies. It's a lot of fun with a good group. Not sure it would hold up with a PUG.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 September, 2017, 02:03:05 pm
Briefly played a game that was not D2 this weekend. Heat Signature is very fun.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 October, 2017, 10:28:51 pm
The Destiny community is kind of eating itself right now and it's not a good look. Some of my friends are showing signs of this taint, too. It's amazing how many people get mad when they have time to play other games.

I'm still playing Heat Signature here and there, dipping back into some Overwatch (I got Cultist Zenyatta on console and PC), and tonight I played a spot of Witcher. Noclip released their series on CDP and it got me in the mood to start chipping away at Hearts of Stone. Spent most of the time running around to points of interest, of course.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 October, 2017, 05:33:52 am
The Destiny community is kind of eating itself right now and it's not a good look. Some of my friends are showing signs of this taint, too. It's amazing how many people get mad when they have time to play other games.

Is it over the reload glitch thing that I read about or other stuff?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 October, 2017, 08:28:57 am
It’s more just a general dissatisfaction with the game, which I would say comes from expectations that were in no way informed by reality.

Like there was a thread with a lot of upvotes on the subreddit saying “After 3 years, this is the Prestige Raid we get?” When of course the raid itself probably has not been in development since the first game launched. It probably hasn’t even been in development since the start of year 2, but would have started sometime between then and now. To say nothing of reboots and reorganizations that would have happened during the development of D2.

But the answer is “Yes, this is the prestige raid you get.” The prestige, or hard mode, raid is always what they design first. Then they subtract mechanics and lower the power level for the normal mode raid. You don't have to dream up wild alterations to guess what the prestige raid will involve, for that reason. That's why you have clans completing it in just over an hour on release, because they're able to predict what adjustments they need to make and plan ahead.

But if you aren't aware of how games are made, then you can refer to what Bungie themselves said five days before the raid released: "Mechanical differences are minimal. Power level is increased. Not everyone is expected to complete this difficulty."

"But the prestige loot is terrible," say reddit and at least one of my friends. And I say, what other than this being Destiny 2, made you expect anything more fanciful? It's a little disappointing that there don't seem to be extra weapons to earn through hard mode, but the armor sets are in line with the previous two raids (that is, they're the same design with minor differences in coloration).

It just seems like after this long, a lot of people won't let go of the game Destiny was "supposed" to be, the game they had built up in their minds as a life-changing, world-altering force. "Oh, they didn't get it right the first time, but the sequel will definitely be what I imagined and I will be suitably bewildered by its awesomeness." No, it's going to be a sequel like any other video game sequel. Iterative, not revolutionary. Rare is the game that makes a quantum leap from its predecessor, and those end up taking like 5 years or more to develop, not two-and-a-half.

It's all just testing my "have fun or fuck off" approach. I can avoid the subreddit and find info elsewhere, but when the people I play with start buying this crap, I get irritated.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 October, 2017, 01:45:33 pm
It’s more just a general dissatisfaction with the game, which I would say comes from expectations that were in no way informed by reality.

Sounds like video game fans!

But yeah that sounds dumb. I've honestly never really gotten deep into a multiplayer community for a game partially for those reasons. This place was probably the biggest I ever got community wise and I started posting well after Brawl stopped being played or the focal point here.

That said I continue to love the glimpses into Destiny that I get from you. It's always wild.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 October, 2017, 02:00:54 pm
Fandom and community are both things that have good moments but can go south in a hurry.

Also reddit, in a general sense, is not a good thing.

I stand by the game, though, and I have another thing in mind to write up about it. Stay tuned.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 October, 2017, 03:26:43 pm
i lurk on several reddits and question why almost daily


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 October, 2017, 09:16:10 am
contemplating picking up Wolfenstein 2 tomorrow even though I probably won't play it for a few weeks


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 October, 2017, 05:50:58 pm
If it was coming out any other time of the year I'd grab it but Odyssey and 24 Hour Horrorthon in the same weekend kill any chance I have of playing it. It looks so good though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 October, 2017, 07:18:56 am
wanted to play the last wolfenstein but it was pretty choppy on my desktop, imagine this one will go far beyond what it could actually run


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 October, 2017, 11:47:18 pm
yeah I got it

and I decided to crack into it tonight

after a driver update (yay PC gaming), it was mighty fine

I started on hard mode because I think that's what I played the last one on, but man I got melted more than once without realizing it. Need to relearn how to play this game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 October, 2017, 03:50:56 pm
What happens when my friends and I get matchmade with Mattress and go up against the team from hell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyF_8_a-Q_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXmbkT31IWs

Mediocre games from my perspective, but the feeling of beating those people was worth capturing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 29 October, 2017, 05:05:53 pm
WAIt, are you saying that Mattress wasn’t part of the team from hell?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 October, 2017, 05:19:43 pm
No, Mattress was one of the good guys.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 29 October, 2017, 05:51:28 pm
I got well acquainted with the spawn room that first game. holy hell

but yeah **** those guys lol

Good vids


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 November, 2017, 03:05:29 pm
New support hero looks fun.

And I must have that young Reinhardt skin.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 November, 2017, 05:47:22 pm
she looks extremely my jam, i hate this game stop making good content and bringing me back to it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 November, 2017, 10:49:51 pm
managed to softlock Wolfenstein II, so that's neat


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 November, 2017, 05:01:21 pm
managed to softlock Wolfenstein II, so that's neat
this wasn't actually the case, fortunately

anyway I beat the game. Enjoyable. There's still more nazis to kill if I want to, but I'm excited to jump back into Horizon for the DLC, probably sometime tonight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 November, 2017, 10:15:57 pm
the Horizon DLC is good

wolf and bear machines are welcome additions


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 November, 2017, 11:29:03 pm
Learning Moira, gradually.

Took some time to warm up in this game but ended on a 15 kill streak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjEZQEgtORo

And went deathless here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uTxXANTlWk

She's really fun. Her Fade ability feels great. They should nerf her ult charge rate, but I think she'll be in a really good place after that. Now if only people would pick tank to complement her.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 November, 2017, 10:54:22 am
Heat Signature got an update adding acid traps and a gun called the Fleshstripper that shoots an acid cloud at guards, leaving nothing but a skeleton behind.

So it's pretty close to being a perfect game now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 November, 2017, 07:19:05 pm
hey youef and i couldn't remember have you played demon's souls


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 November, 2017, 11:39:29 pm
Yeah I played it first like a good boy. Gonna pass on that stroll down memory lane, but I have what I consider a proper amount of respect for that game and what it did.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 November, 2017, 05:24:11 am
probably the correct decision


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 November, 2017, 05:43:37 am
nah, demon's souls takes like, an afternoon to finish if you go deep. it's pretty easy after playing every other souls game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 December, 2017, 01:42:03 am
while we're on this topic

I recently watched hbomberguy's video on Dark Souls II and

it did a pretty good job of making me want to play it

now in the video, he recommends that first-time DSII players not start on Scholar of the First Sin because of the way they changed a lot of enemy encounters

wanted to get some second opinions, though

(Maniac you're probably the expert here)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 02 December, 2017, 02:51:27 am
that video has a shitton of dislikes lol. I like DS2 way more than DS3 but I can't sit through an hour and change of that lol

i honestly think they're largely equal in difficulty. it's more of a thing where you'd have to evaluate each map individually because they made some of them harder and some of them easier. i'd say the original DS2 is a bit simpler about how it distributes its enemies, but they're more densely packed. SOTFS is largely a bit trickier and more reliant on gimmicky enemy choices and placement, but if you can overcome those gimmicks, it's probably easier. the areas i'd say were made harder are frontloaded and earlier in the game and some of the things they did to make them harder are pretty dumb and unreasonable for anyone just starting (for example, one area that is accessible after a modestly challenging boss has that boss re-appear and ambush you as a non-respawning mob about 4-5 times), whereas most of the late-game areas were uniformly made easier. it does have a few fixes I kinda like on top of that, like how it lets you get a bunch of late-game gear earlier and also drags a rather important item to a more obvious location as opposed to where it's just hanging out in a random corner of a mid-game map that's actually kinda dangerous and scary to go

i personally like SOTFS a bit more, but the original version is probably safer if you're not really sure if you'll like the game. of course, it also depends on what consoles you have at present, because SOTFS is the only choice you get on modern-gen consoles and it inexplicably doesn't let you choose which mob set to use.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 December, 2017, 08:43:25 am
i'm less a ds2 expert but i think its probably my second favorite and honestly the dlc is such a huge part of what makes it work for me that i personally can't imagine going to vanilla now that scholar exists


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 December, 2017, 12:27:13 pm
steam still sells vanilla bundled with the dlc and obviously I would get that

but based on mananac's post, I'll probably do scholar
that video has a shitton of dislikes lol. I like DS2 way more than DS3 but I can't sit through an hour and change of that lol
lol I didn't notice that

my internet intuition tells me a lot of those dislikers didn't watch the video either

it was a good watch and is broken up into chunks. he's entertaining (though I've only really watched that video and his video on Bloodborne).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 02 December, 2017, 05:57:35 pm
i watched like 15 minutes of it until he went deep on an opinion i thought was really bad and shortsighted and then just decided to watch him hate on fallout 3 instead for an hour and a half and had more fun with that


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 December, 2017, 09:34:07 am
you both are much stronger than i am because i have like a ten minute tops limit on listening to people on youtube deep dive into why any game is anything anymore


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 December, 2017, 10:39:49 pm
deep dives are kinda my jam but often it is a better use of my time to just play games instead


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 04 December, 2017, 04:16:14 am
I vote SotFS if you haven't already chosen.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 December, 2017, 09:24:48 am
that's the one that went on my steam wish list

would love to get it for like 50%+ off

I also just don't need it immediately, but it would be a good January game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 December, 2017, 06:40:04 pm
well shit.

thanks floyd


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 December, 2017, 06:44:06 pm
any time my dude


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 December, 2017, 03:22:31 pm
it'll still be January most likely, but I'll try to do updates similar to my other Soulsborne playthroughs


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 December, 2017, 06:41:59 pm
very good very good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 December, 2017, 12:40:56 am
Here begin the journeys of Randall, the Deprived, through the crumbling realm of Drangleic.

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/924793102809683337/D645348A9F1ADDEE9AA94E09AF41B79B583BE4C1/)

First, it must be known that I have witnessed much of this game already, so its paths are not completely unknown to me. My knowledge is by no means complete, though, so I don't feel all that advantaged, either.

After wandering around Majula for a time, realizing I could put my travelers clothes back on even after becoming deprived, encountering a herd of rabid pigs (?), and speaking to the Emerald Herald, I set off down a stone corridor, leading into a waterway. I followed the tunnels all the way to Heide's Tower of Flame, which I knew to be The Wrong Way. I died to the first Heide Knight I encountered (wielding only a dagger at this point) and turned around.

Back in Majula, I took the other path and successfully entered the Forest of Fallen Giants. My current base of operations is the second bonfire there, next to the pile of garbage that sells things. So far I have scavenged a helmet, a couple of broken short swords, two foot soldiers swords (both of which are broken), and a Fire Long Sword which I am terrified to use for fear of breaking it (I also don't have the necessary dexterity yet). I'd heard durability was balanced differently in this game to account for it being repaired every time you rest at a bonfire, but I don't know whether the first weapons you find are just exceptionally brittle or if this is what I've got to look forward to the whole game. I purchased a mace from Lenigrast, which has more total durability than the other things I'd been using, but it's not really been tested yet.

From the Cardinal Tower, I'm set on going down the ladder and out onto the battlements, where all the explosive barrels are. I'm perplexed by what I thought was meant to be a shortcut, namely the pile of barrels next to the wall with a dude throwing firebombs overhead. I got him to blow up the barrels (after he missed like six times), but the wall remained intact. When I went up there to try and take the firebombs off of him and do it myself, The Pursuer showed up, which I didn't think would happen until after I had beaten him. I broke the second Foot Soldier Sword trying to fend him off and didn't last long after that. So I guess I just need to keep moving forward.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 December, 2017, 01:08:07 pm
yesssssssssssssssssssssss

also your character's face almost looks like your actual face and that is impressive to me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 December, 2017, 09:04:01 pm
I don't think I changed it at all, it was just one of the presets. Goes to show you how "generic white dude" I am.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 December, 2017, 01:57:33 am
Onward and upward.

Dealt with the Last Giant. Uneventful.

Which brings us to The Pursuer. I view this as the sort of trial by fire for my whole paradigm shift here. Part of going deprived, part of playing this game, it's all about finishing what Bloodborne should have started and helping me say no to the shield. Getting through a proper duel with this guy is the first major hurdle to doing so.

That said, I am by no means as h'ardcore as most soulsmen, so one of the welcome changes in this game for me is the eventual extinction of enemies. Invariably, the least favorite part of any Souls game for me is the runback to a boss, and the more enemies in the way, the worse it is, or the more likely I am to take a cheap shot off of some bloke. Especially when I only have 3 Estus charges right now, if I take a hit, I have no issue with killing the thing and then turning around to refresh myself. No point in walking into a boss fight with either one fewer sip or without full health.

So the only enemy that survived all my running up to the Pursuer was that one archer on the ledge right before the fog door.

A change I'm not so sure about is losing a fraction of my health bar every time I die without returning to human. Effigies don't seem super plentiful at this point in the game. I think I had 4, and I bought one from the pile of garbage for 1500 souls. So that has me kinda anxious about managing that resource. Because it gets to a point where I don't want to walk into a fight only able to take two hits from the boss.

And as for The Pursuer himself, I did beat him. But it took too many tries to do it, I think. The second strike for his main combo, the one with the shield, is confusing, and I'm not sure if my spacing was off or if I was mistiming it or what, but that hit more often than not spelled my doom. As a point against my fretting over the health bar, it's not like he gives you much opportunity to heal anyway. Getting off a drink against him is a matter of both waiting for him to do the full three-hit combo and being far enough away from him, which wasn't a common occurrence for me.

That said, it's a pretty good learning fight. You learn things like "Don't let the boss back you into a corner, especially when the arena is filled with bullshit," and "The boss probably won't let you grab your souls and then use a Homeward Bone to go level up."

I also swear he gets fractionally faster or changes his timings somewhat when you get him down to 25%, but it's probably all in my head. I just had a lot of deaths after that point where I thought I had dodged at the correct time.

The most frustrating thing to me is that when I beat him, he just gave me a good pattern. He did the move where he charges forward about a dozen times, which is a free two hits every time. He also did his big thrust move a couple of times. I only had to dodge the shield bash two or three times that round.

So I've made it to The Last Bastille, and I'm just thrilled for what wonders await there.

Also I need to look up what the stats do in this game since their different enough.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Styles on 26 December, 2017, 08:30:15 am
it’s not just you.
I, too, thought he got faster in a sort of “desperation mode” at low health. Maybe it’s the anxious feeling of victory being in our grasps playing tricks on us


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 December, 2017, 10:33:39 am
there's at least one boss that will be easier thanks to your now shield mantra much later in the game

also there's another boss that requires humanity to fight which is weird and frustrating but its i guess a matter of whether you're a weirdo boss completionist like i was or not so i wouldn't necessarily worry about hording it, there is a ring that cuts down on the health that you lose though as well

I don't think I changed it at all, it was just one of the presets. Goes to show you how "generic white dude" I am.

lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 26 December, 2017, 12:42:25 pm
i like pursuer a lot because he has a stark level of mechanical commonality with false king from demon's souls. it's funny how the standards of the franchise have risen so much that the ultimate boss of the first game is now on par with one of the earliest bosses of the third.

pursuer messed me up a lot at first solely because I hadn't grown used to how to use your rolling iframes when you have a low agility stat (deprived has a bit under 2/3s the iframes of a fast roll in dark souls 1), so I'd constantly roll too early or too late and get hit hard for my trouble.

EDIT: speaking of which, while the game has more stats than dark souls 1, what they do is largely pretty obvious. the one main stat that is unique is adaptability, which has a lot of minor things, not least is agility, one of the worse ideas dark souls 2 decided to implement. if your build is going to rely on rolling out of the way of attacks, i frankly would definitely recommend looking at the wiki page for agility to see exactly what threshold gives you however many iframes you'd like: darksouls2.wikidot.com/agility

for reference, fast rolling in dark souls 1 is 13, medium is 11, and fat rolling is 9.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 December, 2017, 02:11:53 pm
it’s not just you.
I, too, thought he got faster in a sort of “desperation mode” at low health. Maybe it’s the anxious feeling of victory being in our grasps playing tricks on us
Neither of these would surprise me.

there is a ring that cuts down on the health that you lose though as well
good to know I guess, though I guess it's right back to Demon's Souls with wearing a ring just to stop the devs from stealing health from you

darksouls2.wikidot.com/agility
After posting here last night, I went and found this exact page. I think it's kind of weird to lump rolling and casting speed (including estus) into the same stat, but I had already been putting points into ADP, so it was nice to see that wasn't wasteful.


also i may have seen that I missed a pretty easy chloranthy ring in the Forest of Fallen Giants, so I'm probably gonna backtrack to that once I get 4000 souls


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 December, 2017, 03:30:40 pm
its like the exact same ring too i think, pretty sure its ring of binding which stops the cap at 75% vs 50%

What kind of build are you thinking about doing?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 December, 2017, 04:13:47 pm
Ummm probably just y'know


strength


historically I don't really do builds so much as "what will allow me to beat this game"

like right now I'm going around two-handing my mace and bashing everything with it, and it works so far


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 December, 2017, 05:27:12 pm
That works obv


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 December, 2017, 01:41:59 am
Didn't play long tonight, but I spent most of my time over at Heide's. Those Heide knights are kinda bullshit? Their fighting style is like drunking boxing or something. Really hard to get hits in on them without trading for some reason.

I almost wonder if it was even worth killing the Dragonrider. He was piss easy, and I guess I unlocked the miracle vendor, but now those dudes are up and wandering around. Not Ornstein can wait a bit longer.

Also I found the Ring of Binding while I was there, so now I'm rocking that with the Chloranthy Ring, the Ring of Blades, and the Restoration Ring (just because I only have four rings right now). I do kinda wonder if this is a bit like Demon's Souls where it's sort of worth dipping into each area a bit, just to see if there's useful stuff like that not too far in.

Oh and I was invaded for the first time tonight. Dude was using magic and I had some of those mossy knights agro'd, so I didn't stand a chance.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 December, 2017, 01:56:34 am
out of every map changed by scholar, i'd say heide got it the worst. went from a place I immediately 100%'d to a map I delay finishing until about half-way through my runs. none of those knights used to be there, and neither was the dragon. and yeah, the sword-wielding heide knights are assholes and their attack where they swing wildly three times is probably the most bullshit attack any generic mob gets in this game

did the invader look like they were using anything fancy or were they just using soul arrow? low soul memory invaders are really rare, and most of the ones I've encountered were cheaters of some kind.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 December, 2017, 07:29:04 am
dragonrider isn't worth fighting because he's the worst boss fight in the series i hate him


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 December, 2017, 01:52:11 pm
did the invader look like they were using anything fancy or were they just using soul arrow? low soul memory invaders are really rare, and most of the ones I've encountered were cheaters of some kind.
He had soul arrow, that one where he summons those proximity orbs, and I think soul sword or whatever it is.

dragonrider isn't worth fighting because he's the worst boss fight in the series i hate him
is there a story here or are you just mad that they put such a lackluster enemy in an arena with boss music playing?


also I realized through some investigation last night that there's actually a door leading out of that spiral staircase room after Dragonrider and I'm just dumb for missing it even though dark areas in this game are actually rather dark


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 December, 2017, 02:28:26 pm
ehh, okay, that's not too fancy

dragonrider is just really lame


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 December, 2017, 05:10:54 pm
dragonrider isn't worth fighting because he's the worst boss fight in the series i hate him
is there a story here or are you just mad that they put such a lackluster enemy in an arena with boss music playing?

nothing fancy, just like maniac said he's really lame

one of the big (and mostly right) criticisms of the game is it hits up the "dude in armor" well for bosses way too much and dragonrider is pretty much the perfect example, he's barely above a normal enemy and his name indicates that he should be much cooler than he is and that bugs me way more than anything else boss wise even something like bed of chaos at least looks cool


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 December, 2017, 05:38:42 pm
yeah

well this afternoon I've done some cleanup

There were places in the Forest of Fallen Giants that I hadn't explored, mostly around the third bonfire in that area. Found the map guy who gave me the key to the mansion, so I finally have more than three estus, which is rad. I still can't figure out how to get down to where the Salamanders are? Like either I'm completely missing something or there's a makeable jump somewhere that I think is unmakeable.

After that I went back to the Dragonrider bonfire and went down into the tunnel. Killed some dudes, made it to No Man's Wharf. Was making pretty steady progress through that place. The archers are annoying but I can deal with them. I can one or two shot most of the basic enemies there, too, so they weren't much trouble on their own. I talked to Lucatiel and she eventually disappeared, I guess to go be a summon somewhere. And then once I got up to the lever that calls the ship, I was feeling pretty good but then I found out my Mace was at risk. For some reason, instead of using repair powder (probably because I've never needed to use it in a Souls game before), I switch to my unupgraded bastard sword, which does significantly less damage. And I got ganked by two of the long-armed monsters. Was too hasty trying to get back up there. Lost 20k souls.

Once I'd cooled off, I successfully got back up there, opened the shortcut, and sold all my garbage to Gavlan, which at least put be back in range of the souls I needed to go buy a Fragrant Branch of Yore from Pile of Garbage. I then took that back to Things Betwixt in order to tie up that loose end.

I don't really know how common Fragrant Branches are? I know these petrified dudes show up all over the game, but I don't know if there are more of them than there are branches and how choosy I should be. Like there was another one in the tunnel between Heide's and the Wharf, but I couldn't do anything about him.

Also I'm level 45 or 46 at this point, which seems high having only killed three bosses, but maybe I'm just not familiar with the level scaling in this game.

So now I can either finally go back to the Lost Bastille, or I can finish up No Man's Wharf, which is what I'm leaning toward doing since it was a pretty easy area when my weapon is unbroken.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 December, 2017, 06:21:52 pm
i think i hate dragonslayer armor from DS3 more than dragonrider and probably another two bosses in DS2 more than them. one of them was made way more tolerable in scholar tho (the only boss to be directly modified by scholar, so that's how you know how awful it was) so you prolly won't hate it as much.

i was around level 140 when I beat it the first time. there's more stats in dark souls 2 than any other game and they all start lower than they do in the other games, so DS2 just throws more EXP at you


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 December, 2017, 06:27:42 pm
Ok that makes sense.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 December, 2017, 06:33:01 pm
i think i hate dragonslayer armor from DS3 more than dragonrider and probably another two bosses in DS2 more than them. one of them was made way more tolerable in scholar tho (the only boss to be directly modified by scholar, so that's how you know how awful it was) so you prolly won't hate it as much.

ancient dragon? not sure of the other one but def curious

random don't read this its spoilers


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 December, 2017, 11:16:42 pm
Ok, so I finished No Man's Wharf with the help of Lucatiel and Brave Sir Robin (or something like that). I summoned them less for help and more for assurance that I could just be done with that area. Plus I think you have to fight beside Lucatiel to advance her quest, so I did that.

So on we go to the Lost Bastille, for real this time. The first courtyard with all the dogs is kinda the most annoying part? Not to mention the Pursuer shows up, so it's just crowded. Luckily I got the dude to blow up the wall by the blacksmith on the second try, so that helped. I find the royal swordsman to be wonderfully ineffective enemies, especially when they all come pouring out that one door in a single file line. I should say that at this point I've added the Bastard Sword (currently +5) to my arsenal, which is much better at crowd control than the mace.

(I'm almost curious to try turning this into an ultra greatsword build, but I'd need to strip down my armor a lot to use the one I found back in the wharf. (Which is hilarious that it's called Greatsword and yet classified as an ultra.))

The mace is still useful against the Ruin Sentries (who I beat second try, with the help of the two NPCs I ran into along the way (Pilgrim Whoever was a good help)).

It was also useful for killing the Pursuer a third, fourth, and fifth time.

The Bastille itself is pretty claustrophobic, and the dark rooms stoke my anxiety whenever I don't have my torch lit, but I think I made it through without much incident. I want to say I explored most of the place, although I still haven't worked out how The Tower Apart bonfire connects back to the rest, nor did I bother going over there yet. I'm wondering if it has something to do with all the gargoyles I saw from Sinner's Rise.

EDIT: 'k, I went to the Tower Apart, it was actually super obvious and I'm dumb.

I guess it's kind of nice that they put that Flexile Sentry in such a cheesable spot? He still came pretty close to killing me. That corridor with the explodey guys in chest deep water is also cruel, but at least the lone Heide Knight in that cell couldn't be bothered to get up.

Bringing Lucatiel into the fight with the Sinner has the unfortunate consequence of making me feel like I did not learn that fight. She tanked so much damage that I was actually worried about her survival, but he's dead and I got a great soul, so that feels fine.

Not totally sure where to go next. I guess to the windmill place? But I actually don't know how to get there, unless it's the other branch on the mechanism leading to Heide's.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 December, 2017, 09:00:09 am
summoning lucatiel for those fights is good because it advances her quest and she has imo one of the best npc quest chain in the entire series


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 December, 2017, 06:26:41 pm
Ok, so I went and did the Luna Belfry. Those tiny dudes pack a punch, but luckily I was able to dodge the covenant invader by just dashing into the fog door. Nice of them to at least abbreviate the gargoyle moveset after they felt the need to make it 1v3 fight (sure there's 6, but there's not enough room to have more moving around). I had some close calls, but I managed.

I also picked up the Dragon's Tooth past that bonfire, so that's cool I guess. Don't know if I'm ever gonna end up with 50 STR, but it's good to have I guess.

So then I checked that forked mechanism and sure enough, the Jehovah's Witness lady (or whatever she is) was there. Onward to the Huntsman's Copse.

This place has a neat vibe, honestly. The dark trees. The poison butterflys. I don't know why every area has to be a prison of some kind? But whatever. I'm also cutting through the enemies here. Level 70-something now, so again, don't know if I'm overleveled. Not really all that worried about it.

Got invaded by Forlorn and Merciless Roenna. The latter, I knocked off a cliff, so haha. The necromancers are also a bit more of a threat this time? At least I died once, between the first one's magic attacks and the rapier skeletons.

I took Creighton into the Skeleton Lords fight, which I completely forgot how it worked and just owned all of the lords immediately. So then I spent like five minutes being chased around the cave by an army of god damn skeletons, but having the NPC helped take a lot of the heat off.

After that I went to the first bonfire in Harvest Valley (uuuugh), but I backtracked to the other place. The one with the chariot. Or I wanted to, but there's that valley before the bridge with a billion of those executioner dudes? And then after that, over the bridge, before the fog door, there's a black phantom with a great sword who just wrecked me? So I think I'll do that later. Or something. I may literally just farm those dudes until they stop respawning just so that runback isn't so terrible.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 December, 2017, 11:32:51 pm
please refer to the skeleton lords as papa nito's family circus from hence forth, thank you


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 December, 2017, 11:35:22 pm
my mistake


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 December, 2017, 01:35:29 am
Ok, I'm through Harvest Valley, it wasn't that bad. There's a whole bunch of stuff I left in the mist directly beneath the windmill, but I'll go back for that stuff later maybe because

the fire ladies are bullshit

Like, cool, they have an attack that rains fire over everything from a distance, that's fine, you can just bait it out and then roll under it to attack them. HAHA they have a close range combustion attack that does like 1200 damage (estimated based on the fact it does most of my health bar). Just want to put that out there ahead of everything else so that it's understood these raised my hackles whenever I saw them.

Earthen Peak is fine (other than them). The headless dudes aren't unreasonable to deal with (unless you accidentally trigger three of them). I like the hammer guys that poison themselves to death without fail, though I'm not sure they're the only ones who didn't read the baddie handbook about being immune to the environment you work in. The grave wardens seem a bit out of place.

Also I fought the Covetous Demon. I forgot that was in this game, and I wager most of the people who have actually played it have forgotten, too.

I summoned another shade in this area because that's just what I'm doing now, seeing what these people were about. Devotee Scarlett, I think, was put in the game to spoil the windmill secret for anyone who wouldn't know to burn it otherwise. I lit my torch and ran out to the thing, and she literally pointed at it, then did the celebratory gesture when it was burned up. She's also immune to poison, which is awfully convenient for her. Also I used my only Lloyd's Talisman on the mimic in that room with all the poison pots, and then she just starts attacking it. So that freaked me out, but luckily it got poisoned in their ensuing tussle (while I was hiding in the corner).

Also I think I wasted a Pharos Lockstone? There was a contraption in the mimic room that I was hoping would lead outside, but instead water came out of the eyes and made a pool, which I assume cleanses you. But now I have a problem of not knowing how to get outside to the ladder guy. I can see the gate that leads back in from there, and there was a summon sign out there that I'm hoping is Lucatiel? (the one right by the boss door is some sort of jester person). I'll probably look it up as I don't want to miss a step on her quest.

While I was looking around, though, I died in a ball of fire. Lost about 9000 souls, but that's not even enough to level me at this point, so I'm at peace with it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 December, 2017, 09:54:50 am
i like how conspicuous the desert sorceresses are. i guess every dark souls game has a monster waifu of some kind, but compared to pretty much everything else, they're so blatantly fetishy that they're just weird

their hoods look really good with alva's armor though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 December, 2017, 10:11:39 am
covetous demon isn't a good boss but i like his design so i do remember him

I would do coop in Earthen Peak a lot when II first came out because I liked the boss and liked showing people the fire area. Some of my favorite multiplayer moments happened there. One time me and another guy literally had to point someone there the entire way and I'm pretty sure he thought we were fucking with him.

also cooped with a dude with a name that was a saint vitus song and when i confronted him about this via a message later he was ecstatic that someone finally recognized zombie hunger for what it was, i love dark souls coop


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 December, 2017, 11:18:54 am
the only really special ds2 coop moment I ever had was that diabetus summoned me once and i helped him fight a shitty boss with my comically silly demon's great hammer power stance build


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 30 December, 2017, 12:48:24 pm
dia who now?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 December, 2017, 12:54:05 pm
dia who now?

no


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 December, 2017, 06:34:39 pm
anyway

I was on the right path when I was incinerated before, so I found the ladder guy, and I also went back down and talked to Lucatiel again (that summon sign wasn't hers).

The snek lady took me two tries. I think I ate one of her magic attacks at a bad time the first attempt, but she wasn't bad otherwise.

After that I went up and bonfired at the keep, but I backtracked to the Undead Purgatory after that. Rather than making it more of an ordeal than it needed to be, I summoned a dude by the name of Murrdox to tag team the gauntlet and deal with the black phantom at the door. The Chariot, as one might imagine, was the easy part after that.

Used the souls from that win to build all the ladders back in Majula, so those are ready for a later descent.

Then I went back to Lethal Lavaland.

I like the Alonne Knights. They're quite good at being what they are, which is basically samurai in armor. They're super quiet and they always manage to run up to me when I least expect them. And they drop a ton of souls. I probably dodged their opening slash/thrust one in three times, but my mace was two-shotting them after that. The biggest reason I had trouble in the area before Smelter Demon is because twice I screwed up the jump to get up to the Pharros lockstone pool.

Also I guess that very first bonfire outside the castle is like an invasion hub? I got invaded by two NPCs and another player. Beat them all, somehow. Also bested Forlorn for the second time further inside.

Lucatiel joined me for a third time in the Smelter Demon fight, and I didn't really get it until that halfway part where he lights his sword on fire and he started doing half my health bar in one slash that sort of hit me? So kept my distance and let her tank a lot of the pain (again). Turned into another one of those fights where I was kinda racing to kill the boss before he could kill her, but we made it through. Now I guess I just need to keep finding her and talking to her?

As an unoriginal observation, talking to people in this game is sad. There's the armor merchant who is happy to be rich now that I've patronized him, but doesn't remember me and also doesn't remember anything else other than wanting souls. There's the ladder guy who is on the run, but dodges your questions when you ask about from what and for what reason. There was the map dude who decided he should try to recreate the map from the mansion, but can't remember why he actually came to Drangleic otherwise. And then there's the Blacksmith's daughter who doesn't remember who he is even though he's ten yards away from her. The Blacksmith looks the most hollow of anyone but is the least hollow of them all seeing as his tasks keep his wits about him. And obviously Lucatiel is hollowing sort of in real time, losing a little bit more every time I talk to her.

Thinking about talking to the map guy, too, you can imagine he would ask you where you've been and how you got there. And the funny thing of course with this game is it doesn't make sense how you get anywhere, so you wouldn't be able to offer him any helpful information.

The rest of the castle after the Smelter Demon was pretty straightforward, but I've got a lot of cleanup to do that I'll need to look up some stuff for. I summoned Manhunter O'Harrah for the Old Iron King, mostly for some assurance that I wouldn't lose the souls I was carrying around.

Time to go down into the pit then. I opened the way to one of the DLC shrines, but the door there wouldn't open, so I must not have whatever item I need for it. What sort of recommendations do you guys have for when to take on the DLC anyway?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 30 December, 2017, 07:15:14 pm
The biggest reason I had trouble in the area before Smelter Demon is because twice I screwed up the jump to get up to the Pharros lockstone pool.

this is where the dull ember was in the original game lol

like all the other dark souls dlc, the DS2 DLC are all either on par with endgame content or straight up the hardest content in the game. narratively, the game wants you to do them right before the final boss, but you could make some headway right now if you're feeling confident with how you're handling all the mobs right now. also just as an aside, i'll say outright that it's possible for you to acquire the iron keep dlc item right now if you want it

also i fucking hate smelter demon because once he sets himself on fire, all of his attacks start having larger than visible hitboxes that persist for longer than they should. guy looks cool, but he's a technical trainwreck of a boss


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 December, 2017, 08:11:55 pm
that seems like a long time to go without having an ember for the blacksmith

also just as an aside, i'll say outright that it's possible for you to acquire the iron keep dlc item right now if you want it
yeah I just watched a video on Iron Keep to help me with cleanup and it points me in that direction

for reference I missed two very obvious ladders between Smelter Demon and Old Iron King, one of which led up to a bonfire and the lever that turns off the fire, so lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 December, 2017, 01:18:52 am
Yeah I got to go to the salamander pit finally. Funny enough, Sellsword Luet's summon sign was still there by the Last Giant's door, so I brought him along to literally be a human shield.

After that I went to The Gutter. I had kind of built this up in my head as Blight Town 2.0 (or Valley of Defilement 3.0), but I actually kinda had fun with it?

It comes down to the torches. They have a dual purpose here of casting off the oppressive darkness and also marking where I've been within this mangled labyrinth of plywood. And it's just kinda satisfying to see the area get brighter the more I explore it.

Now I did die once because I got distracted by some red bugs and didn't realize that three torch guys had followed me across half of the level. They got me good. But after that I got back to my bloodstain, made it down the ladder gauntlet, and have stopped for the night at the entrance to Black Gulch.

Also, the collapsing floor underneath you as you head toward the only bonfire in The Gutter is what I would call A Good One on behalf of the devs. Really got me good, there.

EDIT: I missed a bunch of stuff so I'm gonna have to go back. This is becoming a theme.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 December, 2017, 06:22:32 pm
Ok, I went back to the Gutter and I'm glad I did because now I have the Aurous set and my dreams of cosplaying as Sauron are reality.

I also went and did the Grave of Saints, but I didn't get invaded? I thought you get invaded there. Not sure what was up with that.

And also I have switched over now to the Greatsword, which is rather fun indeed. Almost hilariously so. The Aurous set is lighter than what I was wearing, too, so I don't have to worry about equip load much.

With all that out of the way, I returned to Black Gulch and summoned the two NPCs with signs there. One was Bashful Ray, who decided now as a good time to let me know they were a pyromancer (the tar monsters didn't like that very much) and some other dude with a bow. So I spent most of the time running around punching statues while they lit everything on fire. I was glad to have them both when the double invasion happened. Don't remember their names, but the Greatsword made short work of them.

Ray departed before walking through the fog door, but the other guy hung around. It's cool that you can hear The Rotten before you actually walk in there. I have to be cynical and wonder how much cooler that boss would have been if he was in a newer game. Not only would his model have been better, but he probably would have had a more involved moveset than overhead slash, horizontal slash, double overhead slash, grab, slam, and AoE attack.

Oh and I finally remembered to go back and unpetrify Straid. Didn't have a lot of souls on me, but I guess I could pick out a few boss weapons. Do y'all have any recommendations?

One path to go. I've spoken to Benhardt (amazing accent) and Rosabeth, and I'm currently set up at the three-way fork in the Shaded Woods. The Shrine of Winter won't open, so I guess I should be glad I haven't somehow reached the soul memory requirement. I can see the castle on the horizon down the middle fork, so once I resume, I'll be off into the fog.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 December, 2017, 09:07:24 pm
For the sake of the record, I did some more cleanup. Went back and did the rest of Heide's, got the Forgotten Key and all the loot behind those doors, talked to Lucatiel in Black Gulch, talked to the guy who likes Dark stuff, ran through Belfry Sol, aaaaand I think that's it. (Edit: I may have also joined the Blue Sentinels, but I don't know if that will ever be relevant).

Then I went ahead and did the shady part of the Shaded Woods. Only got backstabbed once. Had a nice long chat with Vengarl, too. Cool area.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2018, 12:24:46 am
Did the rest of the Shaded Woods and beat up scorpion lady. She didn't knock the item out of the tree for me, much as I tried to get her to. There's someone locked away in the basilisk pit that I don't know how to get to, and I didn't do anything with the other scorpion person that was in the sand pit, so hopefully I can go back and deal with those if they're worth it.

What the heck are the Doors of Pharros? I honestly have no working memory of this area because the people I watched play this game ignored it completely. It seems like the kind of thing that would have required me to save every single Pharros lockstone I've found to this point in order to loot completely. Like there are so many contraptions and such. I get the feeling based on the traps that it's another covenant area, but like, what the heck do I do here? If anything?

I did get to the bonfire right in front of the fog door, which set off some alarm klaxons in my head, so I think there's something in there having to do with the very fast toxic dogs I encountered on the first floor. I stopped there for the night, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 January, 2018, 01:46:22 am
Oh and I finally remembered to go back and unpetrify Straid. Didn't have a lot of souls on me, but I guess I could pick out a few boss weapons. Do y'all have any recommendations?

i made a build entirely around dual-wielding smelter swords because they're super cool, but they probably aren't good weapons

what i consider to be the best weapon in the game is a boss weapon, but it's from a super late boss so you'll have to wait on that

EDIT: the doors of pharros and the grave of saints, which it sounds like you never visited, are attached to the ratbro covenant where you pull players traveling through those areas into your world and kill them for both pharros lockstones and the covenant item you give to the rat king for shinies. your victim will escape if they kill you or if they make it to the end of the map, so you can use pharros lockstones to activate traps that hinder them, and once you're a ratbro, all the enemies in those areas stop attacking you so you can hang out wherever you want to ambush your target. needless to say, the ratbro has a huge advantage, so it used to be a super popular place for bad players to get their pvp fix. i'm kinda sad that you apparently didn't get pulled, because that means people don't do it anymore -- picking on ratbros was my favorite thing


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 January, 2018, 10:44:14 am
may the dark shine your way

I don't think I've ever actually used any boss weapons in II. I had a plan last time around to do so I think and ended up just using a sword I had been working on midway through the game oops. Crypt Blacksword always looked cool to me but the effort to getting it never was worth it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2018, 12:15:09 pm
I did go to the Grave of Saints, but yeah, nothing happened there either.

I've been wearing my guardian's ring, too, but haven't been pulled away to help anyone. I'm definitely playing online and I've human'd up every time I died since The Lost Bastille, pretty much.

Encountering other players must just be the exception rather than the rule at this point.

I guess I'll kill the boss and head on to the Cove after that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 January, 2018, 12:25:36 pm
the guardian's seal is pretty broken anyway (only pulls you in based on extremely narrow requirements) and more or less the only way to make progress in that covenant is by using cracked blue eye orbs or the pvp arena at the cathedral of blue (btw, that covenant has hilariously overtuned progression requirements). it's why everyone was so pissed off to find out that dark souls 3 had two covenants based on it, both equally broken and both without the direct invasion items or the arena.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2018, 01:45:43 pm
oh well that's lame

what covenant is even worth doing in this game then?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 January, 2018, 01:50:58 pm
hot take but i've never found any covenant worth doing really

i did ratbros when 2 came out because it had the coolest name/concept, also the dark covenant is the only way to fight one of the best bosses in the game so that one


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2018, 02:02:43 pm
I mean I had a lot of fun as a Sun bro in DSIII right when that game came out, although it was lame that you had to wait until one of the final areas to actually cash in all the medallions. I haven't felt like hanging out around waiting to be summoned in this game, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 January, 2018, 02:08:06 pm
I think I did Mound-makers in III because I wanted to steal vertebrae.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 January, 2018, 02:20:28 pm
the one most worth doing was bellbro because every successful invasion gives you a titanite chunk. if you need pharros lockstones, either being or hunting a ratbro will give you one. i mostly just liked being accosted by all the pvp covenants because it was fun to

the thing that most affected me in dark souls 3 was seeing what happened to gwyndolin, so there was one run where I wanted to roleplay as a darkmoon and to fight aldrich with the darkmoon blade buff. only the darkmoon covenant never actually fucking worked for me and it would take hours to get into a single session (and usually the host would just die before I got to the invader) and that dream was dashed


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2018, 03:59:41 pm
yeah I feel like covenants in general are a great idea that are either poorly realized by the devs or poorly executed by the players

After killing the Royal Rat Authority, I did some backtracking to the Shaded Woods so I could talk to the creepy wheelchair guy, the man scorpion, and Vengarl's body.

Then I tore through Tseldora. Palled around with Benhart for the first area, almost died to a mimic, but it fell down a hole and I just firebombed it to death, and then went on and dealt with the Prowling Magus.

I'm not really sure what's up with the spiders? Like half the time I would go after items that I figured would draw their agro, but it usually never did. I had a torch in my hand for a lot of that area, which maybe keeps them away? I know I missed stuff in this area too because I fell at one point and couldn't backtrack. Also missed out on the bonfire next to Ornifex's workshop. Side note: I wonder how many players might have slaughtered her on site their first playthrough.

Oh also I sided with Creighton. Dunno what effect that has beyond Pate being dead, but I figured he was the only one of the two that had sort of tried to lure me into a trap.

Summoned Ashen Knight Boyd for the fight with Freja, and he did his job. Fortunately I finished that fight without much trouble because as soon as I picked up the great soul, my controller started dying. My audio was going in and out as a result, which ruined my conversation with Aldia.

Charging that up now so I can hopefully head to the castle later on.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 January, 2018, 05:13:03 pm
were you surprised the first time aldia burst through the ground to talk at you because i sure was


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2018, 05:26:59 pm
sadly not


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 January, 2018, 11:16:42 pm
Ok so I did a small bit of Drangleic Castle last night, only enough to talk to the Chancellor and get down to the first bonfire. Tonight I did the rest that's available to me for now. Honestly it wasn't hugely eventful. I summoned Pilgrim Bellclaire against the Dragonriders strictly for my amusement. She spent most of the fight on the ground. Then I summoned my boy Benhart for the Looking Glass Knight, who didn't even get to use his shield.

Went up to the first Milfanito (what a name) in the Shrine of Amana and then stopped for the evening. Work nights are a big progress killer.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I blew all my twinkling titanite upgrading the BKUGS to +5 (after diverting my last couple of levels into Dex and Fth so I could use it). Splits physical and fire damage, so it's probably not going to be as good all around as the Greatsword, but at least it's some variety.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 January, 2018, 08:10:05 pm
the word milfanito makes me smile a lot


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 January, 2018, 11:23:48 pm
Shrine of Amana is seriously testing my ultra greatsword build. Well, usually only in situations when there are two Archdrake knights on me at once. They are certainly not to be trifled with, and I don't have the poise to withstand their combos.

I made it the last bonfire before the boss, mostly by looking at shinies off of the path and concluding they weren't worth it. I've been summoning Felicia the Brave prior to walking out into the last area mainly so she can kill the giant horned beetle and spare my armor. She doesn't fare so well against the mages and knights, though.

I did attempt the boss once, even summoned a sun bro. And he one shot me, which is something I'm not really used to having happen at this point. He'll have to wait until tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 04 January, 2018, 12:25:54 am
amana is the annoying level of dark souls 2, kinda like lost izalith but not as bad. the original game had one encounter right before the last bonfire that kept murdering me on my first playthrough, but scholar changed it a bit so that it's not as bad anymore

also the amana priestesses robes look really cool and it's a huge shame they aren't wearable


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 January, 2018, 08:05:48 am
I mean I really just miss the Rusted Iron ring from DS1, but I understand that that would ruin this area.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 January, 2018, 10:55:51 pm
Ok, made it through the Shrine of Amana. Felicia actually survived our encounter with the Archdrake knights and priestesses, but she was not smart enough to know how to deal damage to the boss and got kicked to death. So I just had to kill a Demon of Song with more HP than he would normally have. Managed to do it anyway.

On my way out, I went over and visited the actual shrine and talked to the Milfanito over there. I don't know what it does? Like praying to the thing? Nothing apparently.

Oh I also went back and joined the Abyss covenant, but I'm hoping I can do whatever that involves later on. Probably going to have to look it up.

And then I went and freed the last Milfanito who I guess was just dying to see me.

After that I went down into the Crypt, and Floyd, this time Aldia did catch me off guard. I also learned firsthand why summoning NPCs in the crypt is A Bad Idea, as Devotee Scarlett was pretty devoted to making sure every bell was rung.

Velstadt got me the first time. I was fighting him solo because Scarlett and Agdayne were annoying me in the run up. I was playing it safe just kind of learning his attacks, getting him pretty low. What got me was I backed up to heal while he did his projectile attack, only he did the one that spreads, which I hadn't seen yet. The second time he didn't really do any of his scarier attacks. I just went in there and stomped him.

With the ring in hand, I stopped for the night in the lobby of Aldia's Keep, but not before speaking to my dear friend Lucatiel once more and dispatching her long lost brother. An affecting story line, to say the least.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 04 January, 2018, 11:16:38 pm
undead crypt used to have an large group of knights right before the velstadt fog wall, complete with two shield knights right up on the wall more or less ensuring that you had to fight them all over again if you died to velstadt. he's pretty easy, but there was a time when I struggled against him on a limited level run after I used a bonfire ascetic for his NG+ drop and those guys made me hate my life. scholar made it way easier to slip through thankfully.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 January, 2018, 08:01:38 am
That doesn't sound great. The Dragonrider was enough of a nuisance alongside all the pyromancers. Also apparently the bell guy underneath the stairs just keeps respawning? The good thing about having summons up for that is I was able to loot the chests at the end of the hallway while they kept the enemies busy, but after that it was like, ok I'm gonna go fight the boss now and I don't actually trust you guys to come with. Plus it was Velstadt and I kinda wanted to fight him alone anyway.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2018, 01:52:40 am
Aldia's Keep gives me some of those laboratory vibes from Bloodborne where the level is a bit too stressful for me to want to explore it thoroughly, even if this one is much shorter. Specifically I don't want to risk my neck wrangling ogres around to break stuff for me. There were really just two rooms I couldn't get into? At this point I'm not sure what the game could give me that would excite me anyway. I'm pretty satisfied in terms of gear.

I made it past the guardian dragon untouched and then went up to the Aerie. I did go off and do a bit of exploring here. Most of the crystal lizards escaped me, but I picked up all the items I saw lying around.

Before going to the Shrine, I ducked back to the Crypt to talk to Agdayne because I heard he gives you something after you encounter Vendrick. I thought it might be Velstadt's set (I'm not sure where you get it), but it was just Agdayne's stuff instead. On my way to do that, the Forlorn finally invaded me again. That's only the the third time, so I went back to Straid to pick up the leggings.

Back in the Dragon Shrine, I died a couple of times to the big dudes. The last one with the hammer and tower shield killed me the first time, and then I died like twice in a row to the mace wielding one trying to get back in there. I'm assuming that the normal sized enemies all go hostile if I touch that black dragon egg? So I didn't, and I just continued on up to get the Ashen Mist Heart.

So now I can do the Giant Memories I guess, but I'm also ready for the DLC. Not sure which of those I will do first. I've a feeling the memories don't take that long, so maybe I'll start with them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 06 January, 2018, 02:03:00 am
as much as people rag on the dragonriders or the covetous demon, guardian dragon is some next level joke boss shit. it's such a pitiful excuse for a boss that scholar put one in the second area of the entire game lol

the big knights in the dragon shrine are definitely among the most dogshit enemies in the game, but they made that area a hell of a lot merciful. used to be several encounters where you'd fight two of them at once. there's only one bonfire there and what used to be the most dogshit boss in the entire series is at the end of it, so I still have nightmares of having to go through all of those assholes over and over again

also scholar's main contribution to that map is kinda cool. if you run past any of the enemies, all of the knights watching you fight will dogpile and end your life for your cowardice


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2018, 02:13:11 pm
yeah it seems really incongruous to not only have the one in Heide's but then promote one to a boss right before an area where there's just three of them hanging out

also that makes those knights even cooler. Weren't there previously like 4 of the big guys on the big staircase before the ancient dragon?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2018, 07:42:32 pm
Did the memories, assuming there are only three. It's a cool idea for this series, though I don't really understand why there's a time limit.

I also am not planning to kill the Ancient Dragon because I'm not a monster, so hopefully 4 giant souls is enough.

Onward to Brume Tower. I've decided to do these in the order by which I would have unlocked them. And I've had my eye on the FUGS besides. I kinda know what to expect in terms of bosses, but the layout of these levels is a complete mystery to me.

I'm still using the BKUGS for the moment as it hasn't been a bad idea yet to be using a weapon that does fire damage. Only thing I've noticed is that the main knight type enemies take an extra hit when they get their ash buff from the glowing red things. The big giant guys that leak fire from their arms are slightly more problematic. The thing I like the least are of course the shadow ladies that throw lightning balls and teleport behind you. Also the little dudes who carry black powder barrels around are fun, though kinda difficult to make work properly. I imagine having a bow with fire arrows would be pretty useful, rather than trying to hurl firebombs as I have been.

I made it down to the Foyer without too much trouble, then I tried taking one of the chains out to a satellite tower. When I got over there, I was invaded by an NPC. Got him to half health and then he ran downstairs. When I tried to go after him, it was super dark and my curse meter started rising, so... I guess I'll go back there later.

The other way led me further down and into the other tower, the one that's on fire. It was also dark in there, but at least it wasn't curse dark. The oily crawly guys are the first sign of the black knight sword maybe not being a good idea because it ignites them instantly, but I actually found them easier to deal with when they blow themselves up.

I got the scepter, though, and put it in the pedestal in the main tower, and now I'm sort of intimidated by how many options I seem to have. Like I guess it's actually a matter of going up or down, but there's just lots of elevators moving around and yeah. I went up first and found some more smelter shards, but that was a dead end otherwise. Stopped for the moment after that.

Pretty surprised I haven't encountered a boss yet.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2018, 01:21:15 am
Did a little more exploring. I kinda think I have everything taken care of in the upper part of the tower. Went back to the throne room and wedged that idol, then took care of two other ones on lower floors. I also found Sir Alonne's armor but couldn't do anything with it yet. Also I got invaded by an NPC that was actually like five dudes at once. It was weird.

So now I need to head downward. What the heck is the Iron Passage? I stumbled in there and it seems off somehow. And there are archers/mages that are literally unreachable, so that's cool and stuff. I died just before getting to a fog door in there because one of those giant bastards caught me by surprise.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 07 January, 2018, 01:40:16 am
Also I got invaded by an NPC that was actually like five dudes at once. It was weird.

that one's funny. every now and then, pretty rarely, an unnamed black phantom enemy will spawn and attack you in belfry sol. think you might have to be in the bellbro covenant for him to have any chance of spawning. he spawns so infrequently -- and drops his custom armor pieces even less frequently -- that people bitched about it because people think his armor looks pretty cool. that invasion was the developers' solution


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 January, 2018, 08:22:50 am
I also am not planning to kill the Ancient Dragon because I'm not a monster, so hopefully 4 giant souls is enough.

if its a boss it must die imo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2018, 01:54:58 pm
Also I got invaded by an NPC that was actually like five dudes at once. It was weird.

that one's funny. every now and then, pretty rarely, an unnamed black phantom enemy will spawn and attack you in belfry sol. think you might have to be in the bellbro covenant for him to have any chance of spawning. he spawns so infrequently -- and drops his custom armor pieces even less frequently -- that people bitched about it because people think his armor looks pretty cool. that invasion was the developers' solution
interesting. I mean he looked kinda cool I guess.

I also am not planning to kill the Ancient Dragon because I'm not a monster, so hopefully 4 giant souls is enough.

if its a boss it must die imo
yeah but I don't really make a habit of attacking non-hostiles


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 07 January, 2018, 02:11:18 pm
you should kill ancient dragon because he's a colossal assmunch of a boss and he's nowhere near as bad in scholar

but yeah, 4 giants' souls are enough and were what I settled with in all but two playthroughs before scholar happened because there are literally no other rewards for killing the ancient dragon so why bother. asshole doesn't even give a trophy

speaking of giants souls, the ultra greatsword vendrick's soul gives is way better than the fume ultra greatsword and you should get that instead


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2018, 02:51:02 pm
but the fume one is so iconic

and fine I'll go back and kill the dragon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2018, 05:00:36 pm
Killed the dragon.

But first, I descended to the lowermost floor of Brume Tower. I still do not know of a brave way to fight those big guys with the magma shoulders. The only way I could reliably kill them was by getting a hit, running away, then getting a hit, then running away (healing when needed), and so on until death. I'm glad that using the smelter wedge makes you invincible, though, as those last three ashen idols would be difficult to get otherwise.

I'm assuming those were the last ones anyway, as other than the bonfire the only thing down there is Raime.

I like this fight a lot. Reminds me a lot of Sulyvahn, but less forgiving. I had a few tries where I was alternating rings, trying to get more fire defense or more dark defense, but none of those work. You just have to learn the moves and dodge and wait.

I got the first phase down after three or four tries probably. There's actually some room to screw up in that one, but only just. Really there's just a few more opportunities where you're safe to heal. When he drops the small sword, that's when it's really just better not to get hit. His lunging attack was the most perplexing thing for me here as getting hit by it means you're dead off the stagger, but I kept getting hit by it regardless of how well I thought I had timed it. What finally fixed it for me was rolling left instead of right. After that, that became the second of two openings where I would hit him. The first is of course The Big Shiny Swing, which pretty much kills you if you screw up, but the timing isn't too hard.

So now I've got the crown which means I don't have to do anything else in this DLC. I guess the blue Smelter Demon must be at the end of the Iron Passage? I do want to fight Alonne so I'll have to figure out how to do that. I'm kinda at the point where I'll probably look some stuff up rather than running around aimlessly.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 January, 2018, 06:56:38 pm
tbh you can just ignore the blue smelter demon because fu(http://)ck that guy and his lame cousin


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2018, 07:26:14 pm
with your blessing Youef, I may

not like Lucatiel will be there to draw his agro for three-quarters of the fight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 07 January, 2018, 08:57:42 pm
but he drops a blue smelter sword whose R2 produces an explosion of blue fire


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2018, 09:32:18 pm
(I probably won't skip him. Probably.)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 January, 2018, 07:25:55 pm
i beat blue smelter but he sucks, def one of the worst bosses

fume rules extremely ****


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 January, 2018, 07:32:07 pm
i hate the censor on this site

also are you planning on fighting Darklurker?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 January, 2018, 07:47:33 pm
what got censored

also yes I'm in the covenant but I don't yet know what it involves


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 January, 2018, 07:54:32 pm
i said fume rules hardcore but that could be bad so it has to be censored

You find the portals to the dark that the guy hangs out by, enter them by giving a humanity, fight the tough phantoms in there and fall through a pit at the end of them. When you beat the last one (there's four) you fight Darklurker.

he was very hard for my build both times and the first time i never beat him


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 January, 2018, 08:00:20 pm
how many phantoms per thingy? that doesn't sound so bad, getting to him, at least


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 January, 2018, 08:22:22 pm
Depends on the section, I think its usually like four or five? They're tough too, one is Havel and there's not a lot of room in the areas to fight them either.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 January, 2018, 09:50:25 pm
three portals. usually 3 spirits per, but there are some mookier encounters hanging around too. also got to light torches in each, so save some flame butterflies for those

also fume knight is a dweeb


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 January, 2018, 10:28:01 pm
Through the first four attempts, I wasn't sure I'd be able to beat Alonne. Then on the fifth, something clicked and I started rolling at the correct time. Only time he hit me after that was with the ridiculous hitbox on his plunging attack.

It's just as well because I don't know how much patience I would have had for that runback. And now I have more Alonne armor than I'll ever need.

After that, the true final boss of Brume Tower awaited me. I'm of course referring to Maldron the Motherfucking Assassin. He's probably the worst thing From Software has ever done? Worse even than something Iron Pineapple would come up with. Not only did I die on that staircase more than I did in Alonne's memory, I also lost all the souls I got from Alonne. I don't really need them at this point, but it's the principle of the thing.

I'll try Smelter tomorrow because that's probably the most tilted I've ever been in one of these games.

Also all that abyss stuff sounds like a pain. Is it the kind of thing where you have to kill them all every time you want to try and fight Darklurker, or does the boss just unlock after you've done all that stuff?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 January, 2018, 10:58:21 pm
you have to kill all the enemies in the last portal you chose each time, there's a wall that prevents you from getting to the pit at the end otherwise

honestly i hate the shit out of alonne because he feels like the first boss in any souls game where they explicitly built him assuming that you're using a light weapon and provided little recourse for any other kind of build short of the token asshole boss lunge attack that's super easy to dodge and leaves him open long enough to hit him. the walk back is agonizing too so I've never bothered learning how to fight him any other way. he's not as awful as the nameless king i guess


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 January, 2018, 09:58:56 am
Yeah I mean I don't really know if there's another way to fight him? If you're at distance, he does his lunge attack. If you're at close range, he either does his basic combo, his buff thrust, or he jumps away so he can do his lunge attack. The fight is learning to dodge and punish that move or you lose.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 January, 2018, 11:17:57 pm
I tried the Iron Passage three times. Made it to the Smelter Demon twice. Did better on my first try.

But I've concluded, in short order, that that place just isn't fun, and I'm not going to waste time beating my head against it. Not right now.

So now I'm in Shulva, and wow, these sanctum knights have a ton of poise. Also so many archers. And I've had to equip a bow of all things to hit the switches that raise buildings and stuff. May have also completely whiffed a jump at one point.

I made it to the Dragon's Sanctum, though, so things are going pretty ok so far.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 January, 2018, 11:23:30 pm
Yeah, I couldn't stand the Iron Passage, and I never felt that beating Smelter Demon was ever worth the frustration of that area. But more power to you if you do it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 January, 2018, 08:26:57 am
I did it but it was completely not worth it and I think I cheesed it or something because fuck that guy.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 January, 2018, 06:59:58 pm
Following the conclusion of AGDQ, I have made my triumphant return to Shulva.

We last left Randall on the upper threshold to the Dragon Sanctum. Standing at a fork, I took the right path into a room with two Not Phantoms. There were like a billion messages around the smoking armor on the plinths in the middle of the room, so dealing with them was pretty straightforward. There were also like five chests in that room, so that's cool.

Turns out that going right takes me immediately to where the left fork would have taken me anyway, but I got another chest and killed a bunch of those super sturdy sanctum knights who now smell very bad. Dealing with all of them, I followed a really narrow corridor to the end. There's some cool traps in here that I get to use on the enemies, which is nice. Further down though there's these rooms that have sandy floors with spikes sticking out of them. I can walk narrowly along the sides, but there's a bunch more of those phantom knights to deal with, so I ran around until I happened upon the room where all the armor was stored so I could kill them. (I was happy to see upon death that those armor things don't need to be destroyed again.) I left most of the shinies on the spikes, so if there's a way to retract those I'll have to go back and get that stuff later.

After finding a bonfire tucked away, I descended further and fought the pyro jester, a fun close quarters encounter. Still further down, I made it to a fog door and walked out at the base of the ziggurat.

The imperfect dragons are intimidating at first, but not that hard to deal with. I got killed once mostly because I mistimed my dodge on the vore move and then got hit while I was down. Next time I got to the bonfire, though, and then dispatched the rest. Walked around, put the Dragon Stone into the pedastal, and then took the elevator up to complete the circle. So now I've paused again just inside the lower portion of the Sanctum.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 January, 2018, 02:24:59 pm
i really love the design of the imperfects


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 January, 2018, 11:22:21 pm
Not much going on in the Inner Sanctum, I have to say. I appreciate the bonfire midway down, though, and the fact that you can get back to the boss easily without engaging the other dudes. Also the crystal lizard surprise was cute (I only got one).

I checked both summon signs at the bottom and was delighted to find my boy, Benhart. Elana then killed me once because I didn't respect her pyromancy. The second time, I was more tactical, and the fight played out about as well as it could have. She summoned Velstadt and I drew him away while Benhart kept the queen occupied. Was able to down him pretty quickly, cut through a few skeletons, and then give her what for.

With that out of the way, it was pretty late already, so I decided to backtrack and do the Cave of the Dead instead. Much more reasonable than the Iron Passage, though I made the mistake of summoning Ruined Aflis because he looked interesting. He was so terrible, though? I guess everything in there was magic resistant or something.

The Gank Squad was definitely a marathon fight. I probably came within 20 HP of dying at one point after being bled, and I used all of my estus, but I was able to separate them. In the end it was just me and Not Havel, slugging it out with our stupid weapons.

So now I have a flower skirt.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2018, 10:44:39 pm
Sinh is a good fight. Reminded me a lot of Kalameet. It took me several attempts to learn his moves, and I appreciate how he won't let you sit underneath him or next to his back legs like some other FromSoft dragons (His over the shoulder breath attack definitely caught me off guard, at least twice). I figured out the safest time to hit him was definitely after he flies up, shoots a single fire ball, and then lands. His other grounded breath attacks are good opportunities, too, if I was already in a good position. Once I was feeling good about it, I unhollowed and then just barely squeaked, through. (The final blow put my sword at risk, which is another factor of the fight that I wasn't even aware of).

I pretty much went straight to the Shrine of Winter from there. Frozen Eleum Loyce has no shortage of vistas. Inside the walls, there was a fog door to the left and a voiceline that gave a pretty strong indication of a boss, so I turned around and went the other way. I'm glad that I'm back to fighting enemies who stagger under the FUGS. I'm aware of some sort of frost buildup mechanic, but I'm not really sure what that does yet. Haven't felt super threatened so far.

There are also these women in rags kinda huddled up in corners, and the messages on the ground label them liars and miscreants. I killed the first few, but then realized I was kinda violating the rule of killing non-hostiles.

I stumbled on a fair bit. There was an inner wall with a big gap in it that I couldn't progress past, so I turned around and ended up inside and then on some other bridge. There was a dead end at a door with some sconces, which I can't do anything about because torches won't stay lit.

The one fuzzy thing about this area I'm aware of is that there are knights who can be converted to my side for one of the boss fights, and I'm worried I might have killed one of those. He had a magic melee attack that the other enemies lack. I have found a bonfire after dropping down inside a building, and it looks like there's another one of those just outside. I'll have to pass by him or pass through him to progress further.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 January, 2018, 08:31:59 am
Sinh is a great fight. I'm a big dragon boss fight guy and he's up there in quality.

The way the knights work is (spoilers if you wanna remain in the dark) they don't get converted necessarily, you find them as you explore and "free" them kind of so that they show up to help in the big boss fight.

also get fuckin' ready for possibly the worst, most insanely irritating area in the series baby (not eleum loyce that place rules)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 17 January, 2018, 04:39:44 pm
i've only fought sinh once but i remember that he basically made me down almost all of my estus in the first minute of the fight, then completely derped out and was dead within the next minute. judging from that and some videos I've seen, he seems to have some of the most poorly-programmed AI of any souls boss


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 January, 2018, 08:10:03 am
i've only fought sinh once but i remember that he basically made me down almost all of my estus in the first minute of the fight, then completely derped out and was dead within the next minute. judging from that and some videos I've seen, he seems to have some of the most poorly-programmed AI of any souls boss
There were times where I wondered whether his primary directive was to kill me or if it was to destroy all the cover in the arena. I still think From is generally bad at the sort of "player vs. huge monster thing" boss fights as opposed to more traditional duels, but this one was still more fun than most of the others.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 19 January, 2018, 09:41:50 pm
Ivory King DLC has simultaneously the best and the worst areas in Dark Souls 2. I loved Eleum Loyce but the Frigid Outskirts, jesus christ.

Are you gonna go back to smelter?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 January, 2018, 02:01:51 am
I really don't see a reason to.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 January, 2018, 12:15:21 pm
frigid outskirts is so bad that i almost circle around to loving it, like its insane how **** frustrating that area is, i still have nightmares about the enemies you'll meet there


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 January, 2018, 06:59:39 pm
Got the eye. The ladies in rags are awake, and oh they're more spellcasters. Cool.

Aava broke my sword on the final hit. Ruddy great beast. Good riddance.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 January, 2018, 04:38:08 pm
I'm backtracking through the areas I've already seen now that the winds have stopped, looking for things that have thawed and the Loyce knights.

Not all the retainers are casters, so that's a relief. The ones with shivs are pretty easy to deal with. They don't really even activate until after dealing with other enemies in the area, either.

I made it to the bridge with the conspicuous gap in it and was able to take an elevator down to the base, where I met the ice hedgehogs. Kind of a more annoying, less threatening version of bonewheel skeletons, I guess. There's also some overgrown ice wizards in the same area which are more annoying to get to than to dispatch.

And then I walked into a house and found a white phantom. He waved, but there was something about him that I immediately distrusted, so it wasn't a surprise when he tried to backstab me while I was opening the gate. I dropped down and fought him and everything was going fine

and he ran away

and I remembered.

The Grand Lance.

The Rebel Shield.

Maldron, the Assassin.

I'm glad I found the bonfire in the other house before following him further. He and his pet were just as much of a pain as one would expect, but it actually only took me two tries to deal with them.

Beyond that, there was another fun trap. I saw the golems and the ice hedgehogs and put two and two together. And then the golems started attacking me, and I wasn't prepared, so I just legged it up to the elevator. So that's one Loyce knight found.

Then I went to that door that I had to open with torches and, oh boy, flexile sentries. They weren't so bad. Got the key from there (I almost didn't bother clearing this cave so I'm glad I got it over with). Then after traversing some of the inner wall, I died fighting some witch invader with BS dark magic. Not too much trouble to get back down there thankfully.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 January, 2018, 10:33:37 pm
Frigid Outskirts are indeed hilarious, as is the idea I'll be spending a great deal of time trying to conquer them. It's tough to say how far I even got. Vengarl's head and I made it to the stone structure with the Pharros pool in it, and then we were making our way toward the next visible structure. I'm not sure if you have to fight three of the reindeer at once or if I just accidentally triggered that many, but three was too many to deal with.

So having freed the last two knights, I went back to the cathedral and I summoned my friend, Lucatiel, and a guy wearing the Old Bell Helm because how could I not. I like the idea that the fight down in the Old Chaos is a real brawl between near equal numbers. And then the king makes his grand entrance, and he's almost too much for those of us who remain anyway. It feels really grand even if it's not that threatening. Despite him focusing the bell guy, Lucatiel actually fell just before we won. The first time she hasn't made it through. It cast a bitter tinge on the victory.

Back topside, I spoke to Alsanna and she thanked me. I'm not sure why I expected her to clear the stairs so I could approach her? It could be that I'm still missing something. Or maybe that requires dealing with the Frigid Outskirts. I'll have to look it up.

But I was ready to be away from the cold, and truth be told, I'm ready to be done with this game. So I went and slew Vendrick, and we had a chat in his memory, though he had nothing to offer but words. I also went to try and trade in his soul for that sword Maniac mentioned, but neither of the boss souls people had it, and I'm actually wondering if it dropped from him now or if I needed to kill him in his memory, too.

I guess the last thing I'll try doing now is hunting down that which lurks in the Dark.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 22 January, 2018, 11:07:16 pm
Ivory King is prolly the weirdest dlc. Eleum Loyce is probably the best area DS2 has to offer and is a strong contender for the best map in the series, but the rest of that DLC is "lol frigid outskirts and its lazy, yet horseshit boss fight" and a straight-up KMMO level grind for drops from the enemies in Old Chaos for 50 items that have like, a 3 percent chance of dropping for frostwaifu's soul. It's so weird how some of the worst ideas anyone has ever actualized in any game in the series are nestled with such an amazingly fun map.

re: Vendrick's soul: after you kill Vendrick, you can go back to Amana and open the door behind that dragonrider. Gotta be in human form to do so. The room contains his soul and his armor.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 January, 2018, 11:28:23 pm
wait I have to get a drop from the boss fight to get her soul? from the charred knights? can I just drop back down there, or do I have to use a bonfire ascetic or what?

and oh, right, that. maybe I'll use that opportunity to finally get the last estus shard, too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 23 January, 2018, 03:24:19 am
From the knights. They'll keep spawning after the boss is dead, and I think there's an unlimited number of them (e.g. they don't permanently die if you kill them enough times). Only like six of them spawn at a time, so you have to leave and re-enter for more to spawn. They are, of course, quite difficult to deal with alone (your knights don't respawn) and they're fairly durable, so you can imagine how unpleasant it is spending 10+ hours farming for content.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 January, 2018, 05:25:57 am
I guess the last thing I'll try doing now is hunting down that which lurks in the Dark.

*nicholson*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 January, 2018, 07:24:55 am
From the knights. They'll keep spawning after the boss is dead, and I think there's an unlimited number of them (e.g. they don't permanently die if you kill them enough times). Only like six of them spawn at a time, so you have to leave and re-enter for more to spawn. They are, of course, quite difficult to deal with alone (your knights don't respawn) and they're fairly durable, so you can imagine how unpleasant it is spending 10+ hours farming for content.
I'm seeing that you actually have to turn in 50 of these things to get her soul, so yeah, I'm probably not going to do that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 23 January, 2018, 03:17:11 pm
a straight-up KMMO level grind for drops from the enemies in Old Chaos for 50 items that have like, a 3 percent chance of dropping for frostwaifu's soul

well yeah


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 23 January, 2018, 07:20:01 pm
I tried doing that. I stopped very quickly.

I actually agree with Maniac about Eleum Loyce. I can forgive all the stupid ideas they put into that DLC though, because I just really loved that area. It kind of brought me back to Phendrana Drifts from Metroid Prime.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 January, 2018, 07:25:12 pm
i don't think i even ever tried to grind in ivory king had a super great time not doing it, i can't imagine doing so honestly


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 January, 2018, 10:46:37 pm
Loose ends are pretty thoroughly wrapped up.

I got the soul and crown from the Shrine. I traded the soul for the sword (I don't have the stats to use it though, ha). I bought Raime's armor because I thought for a second I might wear it, but it's too heavy.

Then I did the chasms, and they weren't all that special. My favorite one was the one under Drangleic where I killed most of the phantoms by knocking them into holes. The heavy thrust from the Fume UGS sort of wrecks phantoms in general, honestly.

And then I killed the Darklurker, first try. I might have had some prior tactical knowledge that helped. Spell Quartz Ring +3 probably saved my life, too. I also think it's funny that you can probably be killed even after winning because the second one persists long enough to attack you one more time.

Lastly, I went back to Vendrick, and I got the shiny crown. So I guess I'm good to go? Is there anything else I need to do to make whatever happens happen? I'm perched in front of the gate to the Throne, and probably would have just gotten it over with if I didn't need to be up earlier than usual in the morning.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 23 January, 2018, 10:57:56 pm
you've seen more or less everything there is to see

honestly wish they had more magic bosses ala darklurker, because I legitimately love him. he's a boss where it's not so much a game of baiting them into a specific attack or by rolling 24/7 so much as finding the perfect opportunity to move in through a hailstorm of magic without getting punished. darklurker is probably the only boss in the entire game where I can actually say "yeah, that was pretty fun," although aldrich probably one-upped him enough that he's prolly nothing special anymore lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 January, 2018, 08:41:21 am
I think I got some lucky patterns with him, but yeah it's a fun fight. They do what they want, regardless of where you are, so there's really not a lot of baiting you can even do. They didn't show me much of the dark fire attack that comes through the portal, didn't do much of that AoE dark burst. I got a lot of fire balls and a lot of lasers, plus a heavy helping of the basic sword combo.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 24 January, 2018, 09:39:18 am
When I first played II, I was so woefully unprepared for Darklurker and my build was not up to snuff and I couldn't beat him for the life of me. I ran out of humanity and was broken. Beating him in Scholar was one of my favorite moments in the series.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 January, 2018, 11:53:30 pm
It is done.

I died twice on Throne Watcher/Defender because I rolled off the edge, lol.

Benhart and Vengarl both died to Nashandra's AoE early.

Aldia tried his best, I'm sure.

Ultimately, though I wore the crown, I refused the Throne. There is no path beyond the scope of light, beyond the reach of dark, he says. We shall see.


I liked this game. Glad I gave it a chance after all this time. I think I'm going to try and take what I learned and have the same kind of fun with revisits to Dark Souls III and Bloodborne.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 January, 2018, 05:26:13 am
I died twice on Throne Watcher/Defender because I rolled off the edge, lol.

lol

Glad you liked it. I think it's s neat game.

top five bosses from 2 gogogo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2018, 08:28:53 am
Fume Knight, Burnt Ivory King, Darklurker, Pursuer, and Sinh, probably.

Those are the ones that stick out to me, anyway.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 25 January, 2018, 11:24:08 am
not sure of the other one but def curious

Throne Watcher/Defender

it's totally a boss fight if I take two of the same mooky generic enemy and give them a huge health pool and some cool outfits, right? they're even big and small like orn and smough, even though they're almost one-to-one the same fucking enemy

although special shout out to aldia, who was added to offset how disappointing a final boss nashandra was, and ended up being even lamer than her

aside from that, luv dat dark souls 2. gets way too bad a rep, especially compared to dark souls 3


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2018, 01:30:36 pm
The Throne people are especially disappointing because they're never mentioned before or after the fight, so it's not like they have any significance. And then yeah, unlike Ornstein and Smough, they don't have distinct movesets. They just take turns running up to you and swinging their sword. One uses his shield a bit more. They both have gold pine resin in their pockets for halfway through the fight.

Also the Aldia fight is like the very definition of an afterthought. It's the same model he has at every other appearance, they just grafted some tentacles onto it and let him throw fireballs. He probably should have just shown up again, said his piece, and then left, giving you the second choice. It would just work like the third game where doing extra work/quests gives you the option for other endings. It doesn't "fix" the Nashandra fight, but three bad fights in a row doesn't make one good one.

Playing Dark Souls III again will be interesting after this, but what I remember of it, I already want to say it does a disservice by leaning so heavily on the first game while ignoring much of what the second one establishes.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 25 January, 2018, 02:11:36 pm
i don't say this very often, but nashandra might have been a cool boss if she was in dark souls 3. like, she's fairly cool-looking and her mechanics on paper are fairly interesting, but she doesn't have the aggression or speed to sell either of those details. it's not a fight where you have to reconcile how half of the battlefield is off limits with actively engaging her because she's so inordinately sluggish and benign, even by the standards of non-bloodborne/ds3 bosses.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 January, 2018, 02:34:38 pm
i like aldia's theme a lot so i never complain about his fight not being cool enough

Playing Dark Souls III again will be interesting after this, but what I remember of it, I already want to say it does a disservice by leaning so heavily on the first game while ignoring much of what the second one establishes.

That's probably my biggest qualm with III (a game I still like a lot) other than the general increase in difficulty finally feeling unnecessary. I haven't played III in awhile outside of beating Midir, I should probably replay it before the remaster of I comes out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2018, 03:02:34 pm
Elana is basically a better version of the Nashandra fight. But yeah, as with the Rotten, if that fight had been designed for Dark Souls III it could have been way more memorable.

Playing Dark Souls III again will be interesting after this, but what I remember of it, I already want to say it does a disservice by leaning so heavily on the first game while ignoring much of what the second one establishes.

That's probably my biggest qualm with III (a game I still like a lot) other than the general increase in difficulty finally feeling unnecessary. I haven't played III in awhile outside of beating Midir, I should probably replay it before the remaster of I comes out.
I'm interested to finally play through the DLC for that game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 January, 2018, 05:23:29 pm
Ringed City is pretty good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2018, 10:24:16 pm
Trying to decide what class to start on. I want to end up with UGSs again (and I have my eye on the Ringed Knight Paired Swords), but I'm wondering what will be the most fun to begin with. I hear Assassin is pretty good, what with Spook and such. Plus it might be nice to actually play a character that has enough INT to talk to the sorcerer for once.

Not really concerned with SL efficiency seeing as I don't care about PvP.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 25 January, 2018, 11:00:03 pm
dark souls 3 is amazingly unfun to play with big strength weapons and that's coming from a guy who uses nothing but in every other souls game, but I guess it'll be an experience. had a friend who fared way better than I did and I still don't know how


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 January, 2018, 08:10:14 am
Hmm. I know on my first time I played through with a Brigand Axe and the Artorias sword. I guess the idea of swinging a big sword around isn't quite as appealing given how aggressive some of the enemies in this game are, but I still want to try it. If it's not working out, I'll have some kind of fallback.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 January, 2018, 02:22:24 am
Started DSIII but am not going to give detailed summaries of that because I've played the game already. I did go with Assassin first because Spook is nifty. I don't enjoy the Estoc though, so I'm using the Astora Straight Sword until I can level up/buy the Zweihander.

I also picked up Celeste today, which is a super solid platformer so far. Played the first two chapters and am looking forward to more.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 January, 2018, 12:53:27 am
Got the Zweihander now, which will be nice until I can get the Greatsword in Farron's Keep (or farm a Cathedral one off of one of those knights).

My next dilemma is fashion. I'm in the Mirrah set now, mask and all just because it's decent looking and free. I've also never done the whole Dark Sigil stuff before, so I'm sort of pre-annoyed by the whole hollowing thing. Granted it's pretty cheap to reverse it at the Velka statue, but I don't know if I can be bothered to visit it after every three deaths. So I'm thinking something face-obscuring might be good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 28 January, 2018, 03:41:26 am
i'll smalltext this in case it isn't wanted, but re: how butt ugly you get after overdosing on dark sigils: if you take that sidequest far enough for yuria to spawn, she'll sell a ring that will allow you to remain in human form. of course, that's a ring slot wasted, but it'll let you get your fashion souls on whenever you can't be fucked to visit that shrine or pick up a purging stone.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 January, 2018, 11:36:03 am
Yeah I saw that she has that. It's just too expensive at the moment, and yeah there is the matter of needing a slot for it. It's an option, for sure.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 January, 2018, 11:08:39 pm
The year is 2018 and for the first time ever, I was invaded (and killed) by a Watchdog of Farron.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 28 January, 2018, 11:49:51 pm
definitely never had trouble getting invaded by them, they'd do it pretty much immediately as soon as I stepped in there. i wish i could say the same for actually invading as one -- it'd take me 40 minutes at a time to get in and almost every invasion spawned me into some kind of farm gank party.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 January, 2018, 07:47:18 am
This guy came at a bad time because I was in a rough state after fighting the crabs and Heysel. I didn't even get a good look at what he was using. Might have been the Astora Greatsword? It outranged me with a Zweihander, whatever it was.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 January, 2018, 10:44:01 pm
super pumped to hear gael's speech about ariandel every time I go the chapel bonfire, let me tell you

Also I forgot I get the Astora Greatsword from the graveyard of the Cathedral or I might have put more points into dex by now. My build's kind of whack as is, though. Feels like I'm way behind on my endurance and vitality.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 January, 2018, 10:54:20 pm
The only grinding of any sort I was planning to do this playthrough was co-op boss fights, but after waiting around the Deacons for like half an hour, it occurs to me that's not going to work at just any boss at any time of day like it did back when I was playing in the launch window of the game. Hopefully the Abyss Watchers and Sulyvahn and such are more popular.

And yet of course as I warped to Farron Keep to stop for the night, I got invaded by Havel the Rock (Havel set, indeed, but with Vordt's Great Hammer), and had to spin in place for ten minutes waiting for the guy to find me. If I had the patience I probably could have beaten him with superior range, but I just wanted to be able to close the game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 January, 2018, 10:36:31 pm
Got the Greatsword, but I have to 2-hand it for the time being.

Also I was wearing the Armor of Thorns through most of Farron Keep, but to use the Greatsword I've had to strip down (even with Havel's Ring), so now I'm wearing the Drang set plus the Fallen Knight helm.

Elder gru are annoying.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 01 February, 2018, 01:40:23 am
it's not a greatsword, but if you can handle its rather limited range, the greataxe puts out some respectable damage and comes out relatively quick compared to some of the other strength weapons. i tend to prefer it over any of the greatswords until I pick up like, the lothric knight greatsword or something


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 February, 2018, 08:46:18 am
I think I have like two of those. Might give it a shot.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 February, 2018, 11:55:26 pm
Summoning for the Abyss Watchers was far more successful than the Deacons. Probably did about 9 or 10 fights in the span of two hours with at least 8 victories, which was only enough to level up twice after having beaten the boss myself. Still, it's something.

Incidentally, beating the boss myself was way more challenging than my first playthrough. I remember getting a ton of backstabs on them that time, by virtue of being able to shield and strafe around behind them. Especially in the second phase, I was just getting combo'd to death. Ended up bringing Sirrus in with me to give me some space.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 February, 2018, 12:38:22 am
High Lord Wolnir is shockingly popular. I was getting summoned within two minutes of putting my sign down for like two hours straight tonight. My working theory is that people either don't want to risk losing that fight and thus wasting time or that they just summon as many people as possible in order to meme all over him.

I'm so close to getting the Fume sword now, but I'm gonna have to level up a ton more before I can really use it. That's what Sulyvahn will be for, though.



in totally unrelated news, phantom Tsorig killed me like four times in the catacombs


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 03 February, 2018, 03:31:11 am
i actually prefer fighting tsorig with strength weapons surprisingly enough. specifically with really long-range poke-y attacks that i can generally count on to knock him flat on his ass and spam for a time. ds3's weird psuedo-poise system where it exists only as iframes for attacks makes fighting him an incredible pain in the ass regardless, i don't think i've ever killed him on my first try no matter where i fight him.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 February, 2018, 11:59:40 pm
the old demon king memes so hard

got summoned a lot of times and probably had a 50/50 success rate because of how inconsistent his patterns are

sometimes he does all melees and you can just continually strafe around him, but other times he'll do nothing but fire attacks



also a quarter of my hosts probably died in the desperation attack at the end of the fight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 February, 2018, 11:29:47 pm
Downed Sulyvahn on probably my eighth try? It took me a while to rediscover that sweetspot where if you just hug his left hip, most of the swings from the Profaned sword will just go over your head.

Did a little bit of co-op after that and man it's just one of those fight's that is silly with more two or more people. Though I got some major "Dark Souls is rad" vibes when the host walks in the door, and then me and the other sun bro walk in after, then we all buff our weapons at the same time while the Pontiff's swords light up. Then after the fight, both of us ran to the bonfire and did the Toast gesture in unison while the host lit it. Fun times.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 04 February, 2018, 11:38:03 pm
i think it was a coinflip for me whether or not we'd kill sulyvahn. most of the people who summoned me didn't have even the most rudimentary concept of playing defensively so even though I could still whale on him from behind with impunity, that didn't mean the host wasn't getting murdered.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 February, 2018, 08:07:07 am
I can just as easily see that being the case. Planning to do a good bit more before I actually head to the dungeon, so I'm sure the record will even out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 February, 2018, 11:07:37 am
i never found out a good way to fight him honestly, i was so bad at that fight, good times


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 05 February, 2018, 01:02:49 pm
sulyvahn is the only boss in the franchise where my main strategy for beating him involves throwing weapons and i love him solely for that reason


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 February, 2018, 09:33:17 pm
what like throwing knives and fire bombs?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 05 February, 2018, 09:46:42 pm
yeah, firebombs. he seems to be better at dodging more linear projectiles like spells and throwing knives, but he's sluggish against firebombs. they either hit both sulyvahn and his shade at once if he doesn't dodge them, or they at least always hit his shade if he does. good way to disperse the shade and maybe get a bit of free damage on the side.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 February, 2018, 10:19:13 pm
Aha. He's oddly passive if you stay mid range with him, too, so I can see how that would work.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 February, 2018, 08:54:37 am
Some of my favorite things about co-oping the Sulyvahn fight over the past few days

- When I load in and can hear Sulyvahn already grunting while the host's health drops below half
- When the host runs ahead and mistimes the roll/parry on his opening attack
- When they let me approach first and still end up taking the hit as I roll past the boss
- When latency dissolves the friction in the room and Sulyvahn starts sliding across the room after every swing of his sword
- When Sulyvahn buffs himself and I watch the host run in only to get chunked by the AoE
- When I return to my world and the Pontiff knight's corpse drops from a standing position back to the ground

Also Gotthard is by far the most popular NPC summon, which I guess is probably because he's available regardless whereas the Shade and Anri are conditional.

I've got more than 200,000 souls at this point, so I should probably cash out soon, but I'm not bored yet. Might just wait until the durability on my sword runs down.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Ƨɒlƚy on 08 February, 2018, 03:40:48 pm
sulyvahn is the only boss in the franchise where my main strategy for beating him involves throwing weapons and i love him solely for that reason
oh come on. Phalanx?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 February, 2018, 05:47:16 pm
much quicker to just set your weapon in fire, switch to two handed and slice through all the soldiers while hitting the core imo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 08 February, 2018, 06:56:46 pm
like, i don't think i could get a clean run on sulyvahn without them, but i definitely can with phalanx lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 February, 2018, 11:42:56 am
Once I got to 300k souls, I moved on from Sulyvahn, down into the Dungeon. The good news there was that the Greatsword knocks jailers over on the first swing and kills them on the second, so I only died once in the worst room in the game.

I also died fighting the hand ogres, but the sword wasn't nearly as effective against them.

Much to my surprise, people summon for Yhorm. I'm guessing it's similar to the Wolnir fight where people just like to have fun, and it is indeed fun (or funny) to get three players in a room plus Siegward all using the Storm Ruler. And thanks to the Gold Serpent Ring and the double mimic encounter just outside, I finally got a Symbol of Avarice. So I got another 300k souls from doing that for an hour or so.

also the co-op experience in this game is greatly improved after you get the Spread Out gesture from Gilligan's corpse


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 11 February, 2018, 02:57:24 pm
if you tilt your camera down, locked off from them and do a stabby stab attack, you can hit the jailers while they're still laid out from getting knocked down which is p. fun


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 February, 2018, 03:51:42 pm
The second hit from the Greatsword does that anyway cause it's got that little scoop at the front of the animation.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 February, 2018, 10:17:04 pm
I came so close to dying after killing Aldrich. His last attack was the sword rain, and I didn't have any stamina left after the killing blow. The only thing that saved me was the teleport cutscene. Thanks, Emma.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 February, 2018, 11:28:11 pm
Well co-op for Aldrich was a bust. Only got summoned once and I waited a while.

Moved onto the next string of bosses. The Dancer is definitely one of my worst records. Think I had like two successful fights out of a half dozen. It's pretty easy to mess up against her, and it's also easy to get screwed over by the host baiting out the wrong attacks.

Only got summoned once for Oceiros, and he did all the bullshit during that fight that he didn't do when I whomped him myself.

Champion was more popular, unsurprisingly. Glad he's still fun.

Poised for Archdragon's Peak now. Looking forward to getting to the DLC soon.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 13 February, 2018, 12:30:44 am
that's kinda sad, aldrich was my co-op go-to

i never put my sign down at an appropriate level for dancer, but i remember putting my sign down at an appropriate level for vordt and other folks summoning me to unsuccessfully fight her until I just gave up ever trying to get summoned for vordt ever again


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 February, 2018, 11:29:24 pm
passive strats still ruin the nameless king

I've got a feeling co-op for him is a shitshow, though, so I'm looking forward to trying that tomorrow


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 14 February, 2018, 01:00:38 am
i mean, if people could carry dsp through that fight, it can't be that bad to co-op it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 February, 2018, 10:48:41 pm
So it depends a lot on how willing the person is to be carried.

I kinda predicted this, but the most inconsistent part of the fight is the storm drake. The camera, as bad as it is solo, is even worse when you add any latency in. And the hosts usually don't know to not stand directly underneath the dragon, so there's a lot of aerial breath attacks coming out, and the longer it drags on the easier it is to die. The flipside to this is that I don't think the drake's health scales, so as long as you can land the hits, it goes down fast.

The King himself is pretty mercurial. Sometimes he'll slowly kinda focus on one person, and the other person or people can get hits in on him from behind. But then other times he's dashing all over the place and refusing to use the big lightning attacks that open him up.

All in all it's pretty fun, but kind of a gamble.

Funny asides: One guy summoned me in first to fight Havel. And while summoned by another dude, we had jumped down already and got invaded. There's no way to get back up onto the platform, so the invader was just sitting up there trying to snipe us. And then a motherfucking Blade of the Darkmoon got summoned in, and we just sat down on the clouds and watched him beat the invader's ass.

also most people watch the cutscenes


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 February, 2018, 08:11:14 am
Funny asides: One guy summoned me in first to fight Havel. And while summoned by another dude, we had jumped down already and got invaded. There's no way to get back up onto the platform, so the invader was just sitting up there trying to snipe us. And then a motherfucking Blade of the Darkmoon got summoned in, and we just sat down on the clouds and watched him beat the invader's ass.

this is Good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 February, 2018, 12:56:48 am
dragonrider armour does get boring quickly, but damn you make bank fighting him

also the game performs worst, by far, in Lothric Castle, for reasons I'm unsure of

I'm dumping points into FTH right now just so I can use Sacred Oath. Figure I might as well be a true and proper sunbro.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 17 February, 2018, 02:27:14 am
if by "gets boring quickly", you mean over the duration of time it takes for you to cognitively process what you're about to fight upon your first try ever, then i very much agree


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 February, 2018, 01:59:06 am
The Princes are down, so now I can go do the DLC and actually have some semi-detailed updates again.

Co-op for that fight is either a hilarious pile-on where Lorian is killed before he can even stand up from being revived, or you're dead in two hits because Lorian decides to be a jerk.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 February, 2018, 09:42:09 pm
This Painted World is much like the first, mostly in that it stresses me out and it has a lot of enemies that are repulsive. I suppose it only makes sense for a canvas that is literally rotting.

My first foray was cut short by an invader who was using fists and a katana, and sprinting erratically. I could have beaten him, but he drank, so it wasn't to be. (I never drink estus when fighting invaders because I find a good many will obey the same etiquette. If I'm going to lose to an invader, then I should hurry up and lose. If I'm going to win, I don't want a dry flask when it's over.)

Anyway I hadn't even gotten to the first dropoff when that happened, so I wasn't bothered.

The wolves are pretty good, aren't they? They hang back and snarl at you until just the right moment I guess, and then they come running in, one by one, so if you go for the first one, the second and third are likely to hit you. The big wolf I'm less enthusiastic about. I can't really figure out when I'm dodging it because I rolled at the right time or because I got lucky, and vice versa for when it hits me. It also has a ton of health, but I guess runs away at half. I used too many flasks fighting it the first time, and then getting through the ruins with the Millwood knights all but drained me of the rest. I also used all my ashen estus, so my Bountiful Light only took me so far.

By the time the wolf showed up again, I didn't have much healing to speak of. Fortunately I was able to cheese it by hiding in the big tower where the Millwood archers were. The small wolves came through the door one by one, and then the big wolf eventually wedged itself through, so I ran up the stairs and threw firebombs at it until it ran away again. It was definitely a relief to get to that second bonfire by the bridge.

Instead of going over to the cathedral, though, I went left to the Corvian Village. Seemed like the thing to do. It's so gross, though, with the baby bird things milling about with, like, colostomy bags hanging off of them? The crow ninjas are intimidating, too, but they don't hit that hard as long as I don't take all of their hits.

Then there was some NPC who wasn't an invader but had a name and was talking to me. He had some kind of purple spell thing that seemed interesting, but I'm not really sure what it did to me. Might have restricted casting or something. Didn't restrict me from killing him and taking his stuff, though. Then I talked to the girl upstairs, who seems to be Ariandel. I stopped for the night at the bonfire outside.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 February, 2018, 11:26:48 pm
The climb up the mountain was pretty cool. I dig the double tree shortcut. There's a world where that basement with the flies in it would be terrible, but it's not this one. Though I did have to kill all of them twice because I missed the lever the first time and only realized it when I couldn't figure out how to start the boss fight.

Which was a cool fight. I beat it on my second try after being way too conservative the first attempt. Friede staggers easy, so I just needed to stay close and stop her from doing any of her big attacks or healing. The third phase of that fight is maybe the best indication that they give you too much estus in this game as I won largely just on tanking hits, backing up, drinking, and then tanking more hits. Still enjoyable.

Co-op is a bit trickier because if she gets away, it can be tough to deal with her. The extra health benefits her much more than some other bosses, and if there's any lag, her invisibility is an even greater threat. Of course ganging up on her and forcing her into the corner still works.

The other tricky thing about summoning for her is if the host wants you to instead go down the cliff to fight the Champion's Gravetender, which, meh. He sucks, and I've already established that the wolf sucks. It killed me once because stamina management is kind of a chore. I was more patient the second time, though.

also seriously they put more of those god damn crabs at the bottom of the ravine like come on

I wanna fight Friede some more and then I'll head on to the Ringed City. Oh also, I finally found another armor set I like, and it's Vilhelm's, which I feel suits me well.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 February, 2018, 12:35:57 pm
I was never able to beat Friede solo lol, I think I tried over 100 times. I think she's the only boss outside of Chalice Dungeon bosses in Bloodborne I haven't done solo.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 February, 2018, 03:57:40 pm
100 times is a lot

did you summon gael or other players?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 February, 2018, 07:14:08 pm
as much as i love them i am very very bad at these games

Did a mix of attempts, the one that finally did it was with other players and no Gael I think.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 February, 2018, 10:59:49 pm
Well that fight was a lot more fun by myself, based on my abysmal success rate summoning. There's a lot of ways to just accidentally die in that fight, and that's on top of it taking forever to get summoned in the first place.

Also I really can't decide if Sacred Oath is worth it, at least not for a fight like that one. Most of the time people don't even hang around to get the buff. Maybe it's worth it for the damage mitigation alone, but there's other spells for that I could be using instead.

So I've peered into the Dreg Heap, but have only gone as far as "Lapp." Dropped down once more and promptly got invaded by a guy with the doors who I was not exactly set up to counter. Was as good a reason as any to stop for the night.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 February, 2018, 08:39:24 am
I'm not a big fan of the Dreg Heap. Like conceptually it's ok, and I don't mind that the Earthen Peak ruins are there. I don't even mind the angel butterfly things. It's kind of a cool puzzle having to explore under stress to try and find their corporeal bodies. The desert pyromancer NPC was nice, too.

What doesn't work for me is the layout of the level. Most of the time, you're unlocking shortcuts that make it easier to backtrack or that lead into one another. But in the Dreg Heap, exploration is cut off if you progress too far, intentionally or not. So the only way to loot everything is to warp back to the top, which means killing everything all over again.

It's all right for a one off, but I'm glad to have gotten through it.

The boss was ok. Died the first time while trying to figure out what to do. The second time I summoned Amnesiac Lapp because why not. He made it more manageable, but I was also just able to find the right timing to dodge and attack and stuff. I kinda want to return and do some summoning because the demons don't have many attacks that can burst me down. I really don't need additional levels at this point, though. Kinda just putting points into attunement so I have more FP.

I stopped at the second bonfire in the Ringed City, just before the first Ringed Knight. Looking forward to playing more tonight.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 February, 2018, 10:50:59 pm
I actually made zero progress tonight and not for lack of trying.

There's this big staircase not long after the second bonfire in the Ringed City where three of the Harald guys patrol (Shira's door is at the top of the stairs), and then there are a bunch of the basic hollows for this area, except those are really annoying and actually hit quite hard. Not to mention there's a variant that builds your curse meter so long as they're within a certain radius of you. The Haralds are also an enemy that I don't find easy to fight mostly because there's no quick way to bring them down, and they're prone to catching me with the tail end of their animations.

Off that stairway is a sort of garden area where there's a Ringed Knight. And it was all I could do to get to him each time, but invariably something would kill me before that. By the time I actually got into that courtyard and downed him, I then got invaded by an NPC invader, which should have been fine, but by that point I was a little too tilted to deal with him and his Murakumo. Deaths like that make me realize I don't use the Fume Sword's weapon art nearly enough.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 February, 2018, 02:57:16 am
Got past that part. Turns out the invader was just guarding an outfit at a dead end. The proper path was down the stairs, toward the swamp.

The locusts are interesting. Not every day an enemy talks at you. The swamp itself is kinda featureless, otherwise, though. The Dragonslayer Armour at the other end was a surprise. That Judicator Giant in the middle is a pain to deal with, but easily skirted, too. I've gotten used to the Ringed Knights by now, though they still get some licks on me.

I wouldn't have figured out the "Show Your Humanity" thing without looking it up, but that's pretty cool. Also it occurs to me I've lost track of Lapp. I thought I was supposed to show him the way to the Purging Monument, but now I haven't seen him since getting to the City.

I didn't expect to beat Midir as quickly as I did. To put it into perspective, I hadn't seen him buff himself until the time I beat him. It reminded me of Kalameet where something clicked and he couldn't hit me anymore, though I had my fair share of scares. I also had zero estus and only about 250 health. The first time he did his crazy laser attack, I noticed he had an exhausted state afterward, but I was playing it really safe and couldn't get to him. I kept on playing conservative, getting a couple of hits in here and there. Then he did the laser attack again (again with low health and no estus), and I gambled and dodged toward him. I got the stagger, and then the crit, and I was really surprised that it does so much to him. Two hits is all it took after that.

Fighting him in co-op sucks though because it's so hard to get in good position when he's focused on another person.

So with the circle complete, I've taken a post as a Spear of the Church. Got summoned a handful of times, but only won once. Not sure how long I'll stick with it, but I see it as making up for missing out on the real Ancient Monk experience.

Also I got finally got my hands on those Paired Greatswords. They're decently fun in PvP, but I don't like them at all for regular enemies.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 February, 2018, 12:34:00 am
Spears of the Church would be cooler if it was a straight up duel. As it stands, the player always brings in three summons, and the AI allies are useless. Takes a long time to get summoned, too, just to get invited into a gank cum boss fight.

Gael was one of those fights where the first phase is almost the hardest. He almost seems more erratic during that part, so I kept taking dumb hits, and then I wouldn't have enough estus for later in the fight. His third phase is pretty easy after realizing all of his attacks are just three hit combos. Then it's just a matter of getting the timing.

Will wrap up Cinder tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 February, 2018, 05:26:05 pm
Realized I hadn't gotten closure was Shira. Naturally, she was mad. She hits really hard, too.

I summoned Yuria and the Pale Shade for the Cinder fight because it seemed fitting to finish this with my leal subjects in tow.

So that's done. The lore implications of both DLCs is pretty cool. It makes me a little bit less sad that a lot of the lore in DS2 was just kinda forgotten (almost fitting, in a way) because at least they brought in some new ideas as a conclusion.

Also I still had fun with big strength weapons, throughout. Just required a good bit more mindfulness.


I was originally going to replay Bloodborne next, but I'm actually thinking about doing Hyper Light Drifter now as I've had it for a while and been meaning to do that. After that, possibly Salt and Sanctuary. Still want to redo BB down the line.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 February, 2018, 08:04:12 am
Started Hyper Light Drifter last night and two hours just kinda disappeared. I dig it so far. Feels good to play even though I am currently bad at it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 February, 2018, 11:18:49 pm
Chain dashing is hard, but I fought a giant frog and killed it on my first try.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 February, 2018, 11:36:41 pm
It makes me a little bit less sad that a lot of the lore in DS2 was just kinda forgotten (almost fitting, in a way) because at least they brought in some new ideas as a conclusion.
That was one of my bigger problems with DS3, and I'm glad they addressed some DS2 stuff in the DLC. It's like they just completely disregarded DS2's presence outside a few references in the base game in favor of making it a direct sequel to DS1. To be honest, I think I would have preferred if DS3 was as far removed from the first two games as DS2 was to DS1.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 February, 2018, 08:43:49 am
That would have been nice. It's also an odd play to cash in on nostalgia after only like five years or something.

But we only get to work with the game we got.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 February, 2018, 08:52:02 am
the dark souls 1 themes as well as the general end of the world setting are, I'm pretty sure, thematic with how that game is a closer to the franchise that, after coming up on about two decades at the time, finally put their company on the map. basically their own internal swansong to the first thing they ever put out that anyone short of the faithful cadre of mecha otaku who played every armored core game in japan ever cared about. it's why i actually like the dark souls 1 references in dark souls 3 and why I never even thought "where's the dark souls 2 in here" despite liking that game more than 99.9% of everyone else who played it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 February, 2018, 11:57:02 am
the first thing they ever put out that anyone short of the faithful cadre of mecha otaku who played every armored core game in japan ever cared about

the venn diagram of people that liked lost kingdoms and people that liked otogi certainly has to be more than just me right

right


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 27 February, 2018, 12:07:39 pm
i'm the only person i know who likes armored core


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 February, 2018, 07:05:58 pm
i like the demo that came with my ps1 for the first game does that count


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 February, 2018, 10:44:27 pm
I understand chain dashing enough to beat the bird boss in the north, so I'm happy with that. I'm gonna have to look up a bunch of secret stuff in this game, though, I can already tell.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 February, 2018, 08:15:10 pm
brigitte excite


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 March, 2018, 05:24:41 am
she seems rad from what ive seen


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 March, 2018, 05:26:18 pm
Beat Hyper Light Drifter. Not sure I'm actually gonna go clean up all the secrets as I'm pretty satisfied with the ending. I think it's just a bunch of currency and cosmetic stuff for the upgrades I didn't need, though. I got the achievement for beating all bosses, so if there's nothing like that hidden, I think I'm good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 March, 2018, 08:53:39 am
Started a new game of Bloodborne so I can play through alongside and in cooperation with my buddy, and also because I had been wanting to. Plus Return to Yharnam is going on right now, so it's an especially good time for it.

I picked the Cleaver and then picked up the Kirkhammer cause I never really used either of those, the first time, though I'm probably gonna do a quality build just so I can kinda use whatever strikes my fancy.

Gascoigne took me three tries this time as opposed to the two tries it took me on my first playthrough, so obviously I'm terrible at this game now.

Also I kept pressing triangle to transform my weapon because that's two handing in Dark Souls lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2018, 12:07:46 am
i just died so much in hemwick that I really don't want to talk about it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2018, 07:07:14 am
that's the bloodborne experience for me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 March, 2018, 08:57:12 am
I guess it's what I get for trying to do that before Old Yharnam and the BSB, but I wanted to get the rune tool early


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 15 March, 2018, 01:51:41 pm
Also I kept pressing triangle to transform my weapon because that's two handing in Dark Souls lol
I am always consistently bad at adapting to this every time I switch between Bloodborne and another Souls game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 March, 2018, 08:35:11 pm
I remember the healing button being different and that fucking with me for awhile.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 March, 2018, 09:55:44 am
Friends and I were summoning last night, just for fun, and when I pulled them into my game for Old Yharnam, we got invaded by a guy. It was in the big room below Djura, where all the beasts and stuff are, and he came up from below, only saw me at first and attacked me. But then my friends came around the corner and he backed away, kinda realizing he was screwed.

The invader then just kinda wandered around emoting, following us while we carried on through the level. After a while, we decided to send him on his way, but then he declined to go out with a simple visceral. So one of my cooperators and I just tried to dispatch him with our torches, and he played along there only using his torch. But when we got him low, he ran away. When we chased him down, he had healed up, so we had to do things the hard way, and that didn't go well for him. Fun times, though.

Co-op in this game is almost worth it since you can't provoke invasions otherwise.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2018, 01:11:02 am
despite my best efforts, I could not get my friend to trigger any of the traps in the Forbidden Woods


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 March, 2018, 01:12:38 am
I love this game, but there are so many areas in it that make me say "I fucking hate this area."

for reference, we are at the point in the game where the options are either Nightmare Frontier or Yahargul (or Cainhurst, but I'm kinda saving that)

also I beat the Bloody Crow without cheesing him (on the fourth try) and I feel like a god


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 18 March, 2018, 11:18:34 am
for reference, we are at the point in the game where the options are either Nightmare Frontier or Yahargul (or Cainhurst, but I'm kinda saving that)

i also hate these areas


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 18 March, 2018, 05:25:25 pm
I could tolerate Yahargul, but the Nightmare Frontier sucks. Cainhurst, Upper Cathedral Ward, and I think all of the Old Hunters were my favorite areas overall. Hypogean Gaol was neat too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 March, 2018, 10:34:29 pm
Yahar'gul is actually pretty fun with friends. It especially takes the stress out of the gank squad fight.

Also the Blade of Mercy is really fun, albeit not a great weapon for groups.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 March, 2018, 10:39:54 pm
My friend's perspective of Micolash, which pretty much encapsulates that fight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2SBmt-THBk&t=0s


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 March, 2018, 05:14:00 am
quality video

also man i love his boss theme


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 March, 2018, 11:08:29 pm
there is nothing good about Winter Lanterns


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 March, 2018, 10:10:43 am
Also played some Brigitte last night. She's tricky. Not sure I got a good handle on her based on the three or so games I had on her. I definitely noticed I was holding up my shield too much, which doesn't do anything to help the team. I think the shield for her is more there for reaction, which is different from other heroes where you hold up your shield to prevent damage to other people.

Aside from that I just need to work on spacing as I definitely wasn't connecting with her attacks very much. I like her spot healing. It feels good and you can definitely save someone in a tight spot if you're being observant.

Playing with her, it's definitely cool when she uses her ultimate and after a team fight you realize you still have like 100 armor as Zarya or even Zenyatta. I also had more fun playing Reinhardt last night than I've had in months.

Playing against her as a tank means getting battered around. Roadhog just gets abused by her because she can shield bash and do the whip thing, which he doesn't really have any protection against. The preponderance of armor is also a big detriment to his hook, and for a lot of the same reasons I didn't see much Winston. Pharah is a pretty hard counter, and someone who knows what they're doing with Reaper will have a pretty good time. He and Mei are reportedly getting some buffs on PTR soon. Sombra is still everywhere of course, oh and Doomfist, gah. Lots of him.

Definitely saw a lot of different stuff last night, so it will be interesting to see how the dust settles.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2018, 01:50:53 pm
This happened in a game the other night

https://gfycat.com/AridSinfulGonolek


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2018, 12:29:27 am
got the rakuyo

it's pretty sweet


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 March, 2018, 02:13:40 pm
is that the one in the well


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2018, 10:25:15 pm
yeah

also I beat the Orphan solo, which is a feels good moment for me after struggling so much on him my first playthrough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SgZEFA6b1g


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2018, 05:20:47 am
orphan is a great boss imo

there's no way to say this without sounding like that guy but i beat him in like my second try i think whereas maria and laurence took real tangible time off of my life


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2018, 12:14:23 pm
you said that last time and I have since forgiven you (let the record show)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 26 March, 2018, 12:56:12 pm
have you forgiven me for the numerous times i've said stuff like that


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2018, 01:25:50 pm
you said that last time and I have since forgiven you (let the record show)

good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SgZEFA6b1g

*actually watches video*

oh hey your voice neat


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2018, 02:29:56 pm
have you forgiven me for the numerous times i've said stuff like that
no but would you really want me to

you said that last time and I have since forgiven you (let the record show)

good

oh hey your voice neat
I wasn't going to tell my friend to stop talking but I'm kinda glad we didn't end up talking over the whole fight

Also my non-reaction after winning amuses me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2018, 08:26:44 pm
i was admittedly disappointed that your friend didn't keep talking during the fight to add another layer of drama to the fight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 02 April, 2018, 05:09:36 pm
random has such a sultry voice


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 April, 2018, 06:07:03 pm
random has such a sultry voice

for real


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2018, 10:08:08 pm
y-youef-kun, please behave


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 April, 2018, 10:11:43 pm
I started Salt and Sanctuary tonight and managed to beat the first boss, but oof, I'm gonna need to watch a video that explains all the stuff in this game. There are obviously some overt Dark Souls analogues, but there's other stuff that I don't know what to do. Also combat is... interesting.

and the character models are hella ugly


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2018, 08:33:01 am
oh no God of War is reviewing really well

I have no idea how to fit that game into my next six weeks


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 12 April, 2018, 11:56:14 am
Your game sucks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 April, 2018, 03:41:42 pm
yeah I actually really want gow now lol, sh(http://)it looks good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 April, 2018, 11:02:25 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnR0dvkwLI

I wish most of my Rein games didn't end up this way


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 June, 2018, 04:16:50 pm
I came away from E3 wanting to both buy a Switch and upgrade my PC (for the eventuality of Cyberpunk, among other things) and now there is a certain percentage of my background thoughts devoted to figuring out how to do this.

I feel like I'd probably get the Switch first but I don't know whether I should wait for some sort of deal or if I should just pull the trigger.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 June, 2018, 07:45:08 pm
pull the trigger before december obv i wanna play smash badly with people again realbad


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 June, 2018, 10:31:42 am
Yeah. I'm planning to get God of War soon, so maybe after I've beaten that, mid-July might be the play

Because ever-present in my mind is that September is always a Destiny month. I'll probably hold off on getting Spider-Man for that reason.

And so I'd want to leave some more time for myself to not only get a Switch but also play through Zelda or Mario


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 June, 2018, 10:25:57 am
Makes sense, both are super good and worth playing.

get ikaruga as well


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 June, 2018, 01:03:24 pm
of course the real question is

colored joycon or grey joycon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 June, 2018, 04:51:10 pm
i got gray because im boring


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 22 June, 2018, 11:32:50 pm
Pink joycons for life.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 July, 2018, 08:49:41 am
I've been playing "Press Square to BOY" this week. I'm enjoying it, though maybe not for all the reasons I expected to.

The combat is nice, and I like throwing the axe around, though I wish it felt a little stronger to do so. The main problem I have is that this is one of those games where in any given fight I only remember about a third of the moves I can do. One fight I'll forget all about runics. The next I'll autopilot into doing that one spinny thing you do if you just hold R1. And every other fight I forget to have the boy shoot arrows (except lately I haven't been forgetting this because I have them fully upgraded and arrows are good now). Chalk it up to me just being bad at it, but I wonder if I had a better grasp of this stuff if I would be having more than a baseline of fun.

Oh also dodging does not feel great. I wish dodging felt better/more consistent, but I'm kinda chalking that up to "Is Kratos really much of a dodger?" I could be better at parrying, too.

I'll also say that I ever so briefly started a game on the hardest difficulty because I thought it might be a fun challenge, but when draugrs were killing me in three hits I peaced out pretty quickly. I may at some point bump up to hard mode, but it's still really easy to die even on normal, though again, I am not the best at this.

I've heard this is a pretty long game and without looking at how many hours I've put in I don't know how far I am along the main quest. I try to do the sidequests as they come up though, so I'm not being urgent about it. My current objective is to get the magic chisel so I can go to Jotunheim, but I'm doing a favor for Brok instead after having done another one for Sindri.

I think what I enjoy most is just kinda listening to the characters talk to each other. I like the Kratos-Atreus dynamic, and I really enjoy just paddling around in the boat while Kratos (and now Mimir) tell stories. And that's pretty good because the actual story so far is pretty basic. Go here, get this, oops you have to go here actually so go get this instead. I'm not expecting surprises on this front.

All the mythology is great, too. It's a fresh perspective on the Norse gods after primarily being exposed to Marvel's take on them.

I'm sure I'll play a bunch more this weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 July, 2018, 06:14:43 pm
I would say the game took me anywhere between 35-40 hours, including all the sidequests that I did, including the entire Valkyrie favor. But I don't know for sure since it doesn't tell you that anywhere, but it's a lot longer than the original games.

I feel like I got a better understanding of the combat later on. It felt kind of overwhelming for me in the beginning because there are a million different "things" (runes, enchantments, etc.) and I didn't really understand their purpose until I became more accustomed to the combat. Also, Boy's summons are really helpful. Highly recommend leveling those up.

Where are you in the plot?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 July, 2018, 09:29:57 pm
I have everything but the level 5 skills unlocked now, so I'm at the point where I can upgrade the runics I actually like, which is cool. Throwing boulders in rage mode is also very cool.

I've yet to actually upgrade his summons yet, but I only have three. Did you ever use the squirrel? It's hilarious but maybe not as useful as I want it to be. I should probably switch back to the wolf or the birds.

Also I fought one of those Traveler's with the shield who was a bit above my level, and killed him mostly by circle strafing and letting Boy shoot arrows at him. Did finally figure out how to get some hits in (the boy is bait).

Another distressing thing I've found is that a lot of the armor is kind of ugly? Fashion Kratos is probably the true end game. I have two pieces of the Tyr set which is cool enough, I guess.

Plot-wise, I just brought the hammer down at Thamur's Corpse but I stopped just before approaching the chisel tip.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 July, 2018, 11:56:23 pm
I never got the Squirrel one lol, I mostly just used the wolves or falcons. They're immensely helpful, especially as you upgrade them. I mean, the game isn't terribly difficult on Normal, but it still helps, especially if you decide to fight the Valkyries.

I sort of stopped looking into Fashion Kratos after a certain point and just relied on whichever ones had the highest stats, which I usually don't do. Didn't really like the armor look either.

The boulder move was indeed awesome. It does a heavy chunk of damage to certain enemies and bosses.

The travelers are probably among the tougher enemies, but they're fun. It was a nice refresher from the onslaught of Draugr you see every step you take.

Have you looked into doing the optional realms?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 July, 2018, 02:09:15 am
'k, so I did the Magni/Modi fight (pretty good, that), and then I went down and killed my first Valkyrie. That was really fun. I was salty, too, because we traded on the last hit, which downed me and put her into stun, so I had to burn a resurrection stone to finish her off. I had a really nice string of parries on her and the permafrost was real.

I also got the boar rush summon, which seems very good, and I upgraded the wolf one, too.

And this is gonna most likely be a "do everything" game for me, but I haven't actually peeked into the other realms yet. I have the Muspelheim rune, so maybe I'll try that out. I'm kinda waiting for fast travel to be fully unlocked before I do a lot of that kind of thing, though.

Also what is the end state like for this game? Does it let you carry on after you beat the main quest, or does it put you back to right before the final boss?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 July, 2018, 10:15:07 am
You can literally do whatever you want after you finish the final quest as far as I know.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 July, 2018, 10:16:14 am
Also have fun with the other Valkyries because they're a lot harder lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2018, 02:07:38 am
Yeah, the father-son stuff with the occasional interjection from the talking head is the best stuff in this game. And when the music swells, mmm. Yes.

I like when marketing successfully hides something like the return of the Blades of Chaos. I guess it's not a huge surprise, but that was still a great sequence. They don't even have a special place for me having not played the other games, but I felt it all the same. Very smart way to give the combat some variance, too, after getting to the point where you have the axe down pat.

Now to see if Kratos can stick the landing on this whole "being a better dad" thing.


Also this game knows how and when to be funny, mostly through Christopher Judge's flawless deadpan.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2018, 02:23:53 pm
Did the first three Muspelheim trials. The one with the rings was annoying, but I kinda like having to think more about combat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 July, 2018, 09:18:54 pm
Yeah that ring sh(http://)it was dumb. I didn't mind the other trials so much, although the 100-enemy one took too long.

I had no fun in Niflheim.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2018, 09:56:10 pm
I tried the 100-enemy one twice and then decided to come back later. That's going to require some planning and preparation that I'm not willing to do right now. Also I need to get better at fighting Travelers.

So the game is doing something really smart where as Atreus gets more arrogant and unruly, he also ignores commands and does stuff like use his summons on his own, plus he seems way more aggressive with his melees. I really appreciate this

but holy shit do I want it to stop, c'mon Kratos put this kid in time out already


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 July, 2018, 10:08:38 pm
Yeah boy turns into a dick pretty soon after he finds out he's a god. I thought they tied that nicely in with the gameplay, because I definitely felt Kratos' annoyance when he kept ignoring my own commands.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2018, 10:19:42 pm
the worst thing by far is "whatever"

do not "whatever" me, boy


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 July, 2018, 11:24:59 pm
the worst thing by far is "whatever"

do not "whatever" me, boy

omg, he does that when you die too, it pissed me off so much


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2018, 11:39:11 pm
Ok well that seems to be resolved.

Round 2 with Baldur was pretty rad, even if it was a big QTE.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 July, 2018, 12:04:42 am
I did the 100-enemy challenge. That was brutal, but thank god light arrows are so broken.

I also forged the legendary armor set (Sindri's version for the perks and cooldown bonuses), so that helped plenty.

And then of course the "hard" challenge for that arena was easy enough to do on the first try. So I'm gonna press on and try to finish that, then see what Niflheim is about.

I'm at the part in the main quest where I have to open the door underneath the temple, so it seems like a good time to do a bunch of cleanup. Realm tears. Artifact collecting. Raven hunting. Stuff like that. Not sure how much of the story is left, but I feel confident I'm nearing the final stretch.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 July, 2018, 12:15:31 am
Didn't play much tonight. I got to the end of the Muspelheim challenges and man, that last fight completely outclasses me. She brings me down in like 3 hits and I don't have a great strategy for avoiding the fire hazards.

So I went back and did some cleanup instead. Got the Wildwoods and River Pass to 100%, and did the two hidden chambers in those places (interesting to find one of them empty, and based on my struggle in the fire realm I'm expecting to find another one in similar condition).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 11 July, 2018, 08:29:53 pm
What level are you?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2018, 12:15:31 am
I'm nearly level 7.

I did a lot more cleanup tonight. Most of the collectibles and stuff I have left in Midgard are around the lake, so it shouldn't take much more to deal with those. I have also placed the 4 helmets that I claimed in this realm, so that means the other 4 are in the other realms. I think I picked up on some stuff fighting the others that will help me back in Muspelheim, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2018, 08:32:31 pm
Beat the final Muspelheim challenge on my first try. Those other fights were good practice after all.

Aaaand of course there's a second level of challenges, but the map says 100% so I'm gonna leave that for like

later


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 July, 2018, 10:06:40 pm
I think there's a set of insane trials after you beat the valkyrie. I never bothered lol.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 July, 2018, 10:45:56 pm
I have 7 of 8 helmets now.

So I have come to Niflheim. And this place instantly makes me want to just look up a guide for the most efficient way to do this stuff because just a couple of runs and one close call were enough to stress me out.

Although it seems like I could technically grind just by going from the center out to the first main area, defeating the enemies that spawn, open the chests, return to the center, repeat?

In any case, I'll see what I have to do in order to get the Chilling Mists of Niflheim (for the final axe upgrade) and the last helmet.

Also looking at the trophies, those other Muspelheim challenges are necessary for the platinum, so I guess I'll find out how much I want it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 12 July, 2018, 11:30:39 pm
I grinded the first area of Niflheim until I got enough to open the center area. Then I just upgraded my armor as much as I could until I could fight the valkyrie. Also, that armor is among one of the best in the game, so it's definitely worth getting it and upgrading.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 July, 2018, 09:42:16 am
Which version of it did you get? The full plate, the double shoulders, or the single shoulder? My Dvegræðikr set favors Runic, so I dunno whether to stay focused on that or have one that favors something else.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 13 July, 2018, 04:06:19 pm
I think the one that said Deadly, which might've been the single shoulder one. The valkyrie set is also really good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 July, 2018, 05:07:26 pm
I have two pieces of that, but I'm stressed out about what to use my Perfect Asgardian Steel on. Not sure whether to upgrade the armor or the pommels.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2018, 01:03:20 am
So with a full set of the Ivaldi armor, the mist is completely inconsequential. That's nice, I guess. I did one of the Realm Tears and defeated Hildr, but I've left the other two for later when I can be bothered to continue that grind. Hopefully the rate at which Fog Anchors drop is increased with her out of the way.

After that I went back to Muspelheim just to see what the "Impossible" challenges were like, seeing as I needed some more materials to fully upgrade the Dvegræðikr. The challenge in the first arena is BS. It's the "Take no damage" challenge, and the last wave of enemies is a couple of wolvers and an Ancient.

But the challenges in arena 2, 3, and 4, are all doable, and once you have three keys you can go straight to the top. The "secret trials" scores you bronze, silver, or gold, and it gave me 8 minutes to kill 50 enemies. It only spawned 55 total and I had 2 minutes to spare. So that's neat, and what's neater is that's all you have to do for the trophy. You don't have to actually complete the challenges that you skip.

With that out of the way, I decided to go finish the story, and finish it I did. I had a stray thought the other night that would have led me to that final twist, but I didn't follow through on it. Nice ending anyway, though. Really enjoyed this game and will be glad if they continue on.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 July, 2018, 01:50:03 am
Did you go back to your cabin after the end of the game?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2018, 02:01:49 am
Not yet. When I'm finished.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 July, 2018, 11:50:18 pm
All right, now the credits are rolling.

It took me three hours to beat Sigrun. Having all the Valkyrie attacks means she gets to string all of the most ridiculous ones together, which is just brutal, especially when she does like three times as much damage as the rest of them. I also have to wonder if her AI is deliberately programmed to punish Ratatoskr because it seemed like every time I summoned him, she would call the meteor storm down onto the health stones.

Winning was a matter of leaning into my strengths. My armor heavily favors Runic attacks, so I leaned into those, using Njord's Spin-to-Win as my light attack and Blessings of the Frost as my heavy. The spin move actually took off like a bar of her health if I landed every hit. Blessings makes it even stronger as well as giving extra weight to regular attacks. It also took me too long to start spamming arrows at her because I forgot that even if they don't stun her, they do debuff her somewhat.

The most satisfying part, however, is that my finishing move was to break her guard and then send her into stun with the Infinity Gaunt-er, Shattered Gauntlet of Ages (which is amazing). The dialogue after she leaves is also hilarious, and the pommel you get for beating her is just perfect. Like, that's the best and only reward for finishing something like that.

So that's that platinum done. If there was a new game plus, I would be sorely tempted to jump right into it, but I'm also glad to have games like this that are self-contained and complete.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 July, 2018, 11:14:28 pm
well i bought a switch


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 18 July, 2018, 11:17:51 pm
Good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 July, 2018, 01:14:18 pm
Wt games u got bithc?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 July, 2018, 01:20:50 pm
just zelda right now

which, if this email notification is correct, has just arrived

even though the console itself isn't expected for delivery until Monday


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 July, 2018, 02:40:55 pm
cool hope you dig it, its pretty rad

gotta get SMASH and the trios battles will resume just like the good old days hell yeah


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 July, 2018, 05:01:32 pm
confirmed, I now have a copy of botw just sitting here on my desk

I feel like I ordered a steak dinner and the waiter brought out a baked potato and said "steak's on its way, should be here within the next business day"

anyway yeah this is obviously a smash machine for me but hopefully not to the extent the Wii was

would be cool if it becomes a smash/other nintendo games/indie machine


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 21 July, 2018, 02:31:44 pm
It is quite the indie machine.

I recommend Mario Odyssey, Tropical Freeze and Fast RMX if you happen to have any interest in those.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 July, 2018, 01:26:34 am
Odyssey is definitely on my list. Never been a huge Kong fan and I don't know the other one.

Also it arrived today but I was busy with the Destiny secret that showed up last night. I also didn't hear it get dropped off, so I almost tripped over the box when I went to get dinner.

Not a lot going on tomorrow so I'm sure I'll get it set up and updated at the least.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 July, 2018, 03:32:47 pm
octopath traveler is very good so far if you're in for an rpg


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 July, 2018, 05:48:34 pm
very confused by the inability to name Link "my dude"

or anything else for that matter

Just kidding.

They turned Zelda into one of those chronovore games, so I've spent roughly four hours hunting boar, picking flowers, cooking, and starting fires.

I picked up a few magic powers along the way some of which blow me up. Gonna go climb a mountain after dinner so I can find some more. Hopefully then this suspiciously knowledgeable old man will give me his glider.

octopath traveler is very good so far if you're in for an rpg
I've heard good things from most people who play it but I've read stuff about how it plays that makes me less interested than I would like to be.

I'm probably not going to buy any other games for the foreseeable future, though, seeing as Zelda is such a nice time investment (while also not being the only game I'll be playing (maybe...)).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 July, 2018, 05:59:05 pm
oh and I found a golem but I ran away


and I've died three times so far
- not paying attention to my hearts/being confused about how/if there is dodging in this game
- laser beam
- fell off the tower trying to climb down


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 July, 2018, 11:29:29 pm
died again because I fell into frozen water

I'm finished with the plateau now (unless I wanna go fight that golem...)

I see why people have been raving about it as a tutorial area. Glad to have the glider, some more stamina, and freedom to head out into the wild.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 July, 2018, 05:31:53 am
I died a lot in that game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 July, 2018, 09:14:49 am
I went back and fought the tarsus (I think that is what it was called). I thought that some of my runes might help me, like bombs or stasis, or that the thing on its back was maybe susceptible to magnesis, but that wasn't the case. When I realized that I had to go Shadow of the Colossus on its ass, I had to stall because it was raining when I started the fight. Luckily strafing around its legs is completely safe. Once I got on top, the sledgehammer I got from the Stasis trial made short work of it.

After that, I jumped off the east edge of the plateau and got the drop on a moblin, which has a great design in this game. Spent a little while stalking more of those in the trees north of the road before proceeding to the Outpost Ruins.

I know Souls comparisons are tired, but it's hard not to get that vibe while exploring the bombed out ruins of a fallen kingdom. The minimal score contributes to it, too. Bird calls dominate the soundscape.

There was a raised treehouse (or the remnants of one) on a hill next to the ruins, and as I got to the top of the ladder, I noticed strange particle effects trailing through the air. When I looked up, the moon was glowing red.

I saved there.

also good lord being able to play this from bed is going to be hazardous for my health


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 23 July, 2018, 05:26:38 pm
also good lord being able to play this from bed is going to be hazardous for my health

This has literally changed the way I play games.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 July, 2018, 11:16:53 pm
Tonight I failed spectacularly to journey in a straight line, mounted a horse, and got beaten to within an inch of death for stepping on flowers.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 July, 2018, 10:54:29 pm
Made it to Kakariko, but not before scaling the Dueling Peaks, getting mauled by a bear, and finding a Flame Sword that I will never use because it is too cool and I don't want it to break.

Also met Hestu. I appreciate his flamboyance.

I gotta say, this game is really cool. It's so noticeable that it wasn't created in a vacuum. A lot of the systems are very un-Zelda, like the fact that enemies don't drop hearts or rupees, the stealth and survival mechanics, and the (controversial) weapon system.

I just realized today that parrying is a thing, and I'm wondering how useful it is. I've been struggling to figure out defensive options as the side hops and backflips feel really un-evasive. It predisposes me to stealth tactics and whittling down stronger enemies from range, which I don't mind. I'm just wondering what kind of diversity of combat style there is.

Another question: Is there a crafting system that I should be saving some of these gem stones for, or am I free to sell them all for cash? I feel like one thing I picked up mentioned being used to make clothing, but I just haven't reached a point where it's given me an option to craft anything, cooking not withstanding.

I was relieved to find out there are multiple goddess statues as the idea of warping back to the Temple of Time to turn in Spirit Orbs did not feel right.

I've been nervous to play this game just because of how it was received and some of the discussion that has followed it (most of which I have tried to avoid, but talk of Zelda permeates everything). I'm keen to see how the loops widen and deepen as I go on.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 July, 2018, 05:11:09 am
I'm pretty sure I sold all my gems when I got them, but I wasn't super involved in crafting to be fair so they might have use.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 July, 2018, 08:04:13 am
About 15 minutes after I posted that, I found the shrine that teaches you all the defensive maneuvers, so that's cool.

And ok. I've been selling opals here and there because they go for 60 each. Might still hang on to the rubies and sapphires a while.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 July, 2018, 11:33:53 am
Some more stray thoughts while I sit at work, not accomplishing anything:

I haven't really talked about them much, but the shrines have all been pretty cool so far. In particular, I like one I did last night that involved making a pachinko maze using waterfalls and cryonis, which has made me think I should try climbing some waterfalls out in the wild that way.

Also, thinking about the Switch itself, I had played my friend's once or twice in the past couple of months and each time came away thinking I would have to get a pro controller because the joycons felt small in my hands, especially the joysticks. But playing mine over the past few days, I haven't felt that at all. It's slightly heavy in handheld mode, and my hands start to fall asleep after a while if I'm propped up in bed. The joycon grip is surprisingly comfortable, though. I'll probably end up getting a pro controller eventually, but I'm glad to downgrade it on my accessory priority list for the time being considering how expensive it is.

Oh, and I love the haptics. The way the buttons click, the sound effects in the menus. It's all good stuff. Could still go for a bit of that Wii menu ambiance, or at least the Wii shop music, but it's real nice overall.


Edit: Back to BotW, this game has DLC. Is it worth just grabbing that, or should I wait and see if I want it further in? I know the second one added some story stuff, but I don't know if it's better to integrate that into the campaign or if it's meant to be played after I've beaten the game (I also have heard that this game takes the old fashioned approach to finishing and just spits you back out right before the end if you do beat it).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 July, 2018, 05:14:07 pm
I haven't played the DLC but from what I've heard it seems to be middling. There's a new boss at least.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 July, 2018, 07:32:15 pm
Noted.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 July, 2018, 08:39:04 am
I didn't get to play as much last night. Just rode from Kakariko to Hateno, which was enough for me to have this thought of like

This game is very Zelda, but at the same time it is very not Zelda.

3D Zelda has a look now, just as much as 2D Zelda. They've perfected that middle ground between Twilight Princess and Wind Waker. So this game looks like Zelda.

But the way the world is laid out is very un-Zelda. It feels so much more like a real place. Riding up to Hateno and seeing the way this village is sprawled out across these rocky bluffs with all the windmills feels like a huge step forward.

I remember the run-up to Twilight Princess when they were talking about how big Hyrule field was in that game. Actually playing through it didn't match what I had imagined it to be.

This game does, though.

Oh also I'm gonna buy a house.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 July, 2018, 11:52:51 am
It's very Zelda but it's not very OoT. There's lots of places that really made me feel like it was a callback to the NES original. Which I appreciated.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 July, 2018, 01:28:37 pm
I'm probably poorer for not having played the original game, but I have heard this one compared to that before.

I watched the speedrun of Skyward Sword at SGDQ, and I dunno. I might enjoy playing another one of those, where you don't have much say over what you do next, and you can't get places without certain items...

I'm just glad they didn't do that again. And playing this game, the sense I get so far is that they're glad they didn't do that again either.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 July, 2018, 05:18:03 am
I enjoyed SS a lot more than most people but I think they made the right decision going with the direction they did in this one. There's a few things I would have liked Breath to have done differently but capturing the older feeling makes up for a lot of those issues. What they do moving forward will be interesting though.

still hoping for another 2D one, a link between worlds was spectacular


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 July, 2018, 08:16:45 am
So they put Pokemon Snap in this game. Except it extends to inanimate objects. That's pretty rad.

also purah is moe and the deer hunting minigame is difficult


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 July, 2018, 01:14:44 am
I got tested tonight.

I sailed over to the shrine that's on a tiny island in the bay below the research lab and stumbled into a Great Test of Strength against a robot that decided to use up all the fairies I had found thus far. I also broke every weapon and shield except for my Flame Sword. But I managed to beat it and picked up two of it's ++ weapons (one of them fell through the floor which was a bummer).

So that was something I probably should have come back to do later, but it's done with now.

After that I decided it would be a good idea to climb up Lanayru mountain. It wasn't a terrible idea I guess, but I had to run away from most enemies. There's a shrine on the Eastern side of the range that I couldn't find. My sensor kept leading me to one spot but I couldn't work out where it was or what to do to get into it.

I did manage to make it to the peak. lured by some glowing purple crystals I could see from below.

And I found a corrupted dragon, which I accidentally approached and started an encounter with. Lucky for me, this was less a boss fight and more a challenge to see if I could do some acrobatic arrow stuff. I didn't have many arrows when I started, but I was able to line up my shots well enough (the slow motion aerial aiming helps obviously), and thankfully they only take one hit. Finished just before my cold resistance wore off.

So that opened another shrine. I got on my glider and left after that because I needed to restock on some things, though now I am debating whether or not to explore the Western portion of the mountain range or to meander back to Kakariko and return here later on. Leaning toward the latter, although if I can find another shrine somewhere then I can level up again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 July, 2018, 02:01:18 pm
I played a lot yesterday.

I met the devil.

I tamed two new horses (the second one after I got the first one stuck).

I did like five more shrines.

I got attacked by the Yiga clan.

I recovered two memories.

I got a bunch more weapon slots from Hestu.

I met Kass.

I learned how to shield surf.

And I fought my way up a heavily fortified mountain to sync the Lanayru Tower.

I'm still thinking about the thunderstorm, though.

I was on the shore of a lake, waiting for the rain to stop so I could make my way over to a shrine, when I heard the thunder. It was off in the distance, kind of around Death Mountain. The sky looked amazing, and I just stood there admiring it. But then I started sparking. It happened again and I quickly switched to my only non-metallic weapon, a Korok leaf.

With the lightning coming closer, I ran over to seek shelter, but I stumbled into a bokoblin camp. One of them heard me and came over to investigate, so I tried to hide behind a tree.

The tree got struck by lightning.

Somehow I didn't take damage, but my cover was blown and the whole band came after me. I used the leaf to blow one of them into the river, then threw a bomb at the rest to try and throw them off balance. One of them was using a metal shield, and I watched him start sparking and eventually get struck a few second later. My leaf broke, but I took one of their spears and managed to finish off the rest.

The clouds broke as the last enemy fell.


As I've been wandering this region, I've been hailed by several Zora asking me to speak to their prince, so I'll picking up with that today.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 July, 2018, 09:12:08 am
Made the long, wet walk to Zora's Domain last night. Sidon seems like a bit of a tryhard, but at least he doesn't hate me like a lot of the other Zora.

After talking to everyone in the city, I went up to explore the surrounding highlands. Killed a Hinox next to a pond which wasn't all that difficult, then I made my way over to the ruins mentioned on one of the history tablets so I could recover the Zora helmet. I'm a proper fish now, although I am hoping there are pants because wearing the armor and helmet with just the khaki Hylian trousers isn't a great look. I guess I could go dye them, though.

I had enough shock arrows before I even got to Zora's Domain, but I'm going to go fight the Lynel anyway. One of them attacked me in Naydra Snowfield the other day when I was there to recover a memory, and I ran away after one bolt from his bow one-shot me. Perhaps dealing with this one will improve my standing with the old guard Zora.


Also, I do feel like I should at some point mention my only real gripe with this game, which is that the frame rate just kinda tanks sometimes. I've noticed it happening most often in highly populated areas like Kakariko and Zora's Domain, as well as when there's a lot of fire on screen. Is that pretty common for anyone else that played the game?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 July, 2018, 05:23:20 pm
i honestly can't really say if it happened to me much or not because i never notice framerate unless its literally blighttown level bad


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 July, 2018, 05:40:17 pm
I've had some Blighttown bad moments in the aforementioned scenarios. It's not constant or anything, but I have to like adjust my camera angle to try and avert my gaze from whatever is causing it.

Also what's the deal with Blood Moons? The cutscene keeps playing when they pop up, but I never actually see more monsters? Does it only matter if you're near the castle?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 July, 2018, 08:31:30 pm
It revives any overworld bosses and enemies you've fought whenever it goes off.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 July, 2018, 11:31:34 pm
Oh, so do enemies not respawn until that happens? I had just assumed they came back if I went far enough away.

Good to know about the bosses, I guess. Though I kinda liked the idea of them being things to check off on a list, but I guess it's good to be able to farm them for materials, too.

Or in the case of the Lynel I killed, a photograph.

He one-shotted me twice before I decided to put on a defensive buff (I should have changed my armor, too, but I'll remember that for next time). I tried to stay close to him so he wouldn't use his bow, which worked, although hits hard and his attacks have weird timings (actually I think I'm just bad at reading telegraphs in this game, even when they're really obvious).

But I loaded up on arrows after beating him. Muzu tells you to gather 20, and I had like 50, and...

I guess the game figures you're going to miss a lot more and wants you to be careful, but I can see the possibility for a two-cycle when bringing Vah Ruta to bear. I only had to jump up the waterfalls three times to hit all four orbs. Cool little sequence anyway, and I liked the interior of the beast, too. I didn't know whether to expect a boss fight, and I enjoyed the one I got, though I could have gone for less of Mipha talking my ear off the whole time. Like, I know how to fight a boss, Lady. Its death cry sounded kinda like Cleric Beast.

When that was done I gathered up the side quests and set out to find some local shrines that were more available without the rain. I still need to explore the reservoir lake and the area east of there, and then I'll be ready to leave the Domain for the time being.

Will probably head back toward the main Hyrule field area and then head north. I'd like to find the Korok Forest if possible so I have consistent access to Hestu.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 August, 2018, 09:41:14 am
There were a couple of things in that direct, like the way they were talking about music and past stages, that made me think about Ultimate not just as a game, but sort of as this ultimate toy box / diorama of all the most iconic video game franchises. Like it doesn't make much sense to think of a new video game as a conservation of the past, but it is a cultural touchstone of enormous surface area.

all that aside, holy shit this game is gonna be huge


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 August, 2018, 09:50:29 am
Yeah, I'm honestly blown away by how much is in there with the implication that there's still more. And this game is coming out this year.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 August, 2018, 10:17:27 am
also I am the guy who would use his switch to listen to the 28 hours of video game music built into smash


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 August, 2018, 10:18:44 am
no shame


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 08 August, 2018, 11:08:58 am
I'm gonna be spending an unfathomable amount of time with the music.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 August, 2018, 11:34:03 pm
For my purposes, the characters I'm interested in trying first when the time comes:

Samus
Dark Samus
Meta Knight
Mega Man
a Belmont
Ridley
Cloud
Sheik
Falcon
Mewtwo
Link

Will of course try every character on a long enough timeline, but these are the ones I'm most interested in at the outset.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 August, 2018, 05:20:12 am
My friends and I always use five mains for an arbitrary number and so far they are Simon, Snake, DK, Olimar and Wii Fit Trainer. There's an absurd amount of people I want to use more casually though. K. Rool looks great in particular.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 August, 2018, 08:52:22 am
I'm sure I will winnow the list. I don't actually think I have a main in any Smash game other than 64, so I'm hoping I'll be able to find some kind of identity with this one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 09 August, 2018, 11:30:32 am
I'll be using...

Pikachu
Falcon
Bowser
Gordondarf
Wario
Snake
Sonic
King Dedede
Wolf
Little Mac
Pac-Man
Iggy/Lemmy/Morton
Duck Hunt
Simon/Richter
King K.Rool

If I'm picking a main five, it'll be Dedede, K.Rool, Simon/Richter, Wolf and Wario for sure. I'll try everyone obviously, I didn't like the way Mega Man played last game but who knows maybe he'll be more fun to play in this one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 09 August, 2018, 12:37:25 pm
Yeah, I'm honestly blown away by how much is in there with the implication that there's still more. And this game is coming out this year.
Famitsu or someone said that Nintendo would reveal the entire roster before the game's December release..which definitely means that there's still MORE to this ludicrous game. I imagine they  have reveals for September, October, and November planned to round it all out.

This may be the most content I've ever seen in a video game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 August, 2018, 02:15:14 pm
Regardless of whether this is the best Smash game, it is definitely going to be the Most Smash game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 August, 2018, 05:06:40 pm
Remember when they first revealed the game and Sakurai was like "don't expect too many new characters!"? Funny times.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 09 August, 2018, 11:45:20 pm
We're at like 73 characters right now including echos, lol.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 August, 2018, 01:18:17 am
I honestly would've been totally stunned if you told the 2005 Melee-playing version of me who would be in the future games. Literally anything is possible at this point.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 August, 2018, 10:32:56 am
so we should probably change the site name to ultimate paradise, right?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 August, 2018, 10:52:01 am
do you have that power


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 August, 2018, 12:28:33 pm
I can poke around


also new DOOM looks dope


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 August, 2018, 12:32:31 pm
lol there


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 11 August, 2018, 11:21:09 am
Doom Eternal is goty 2019 for the time being.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 August, 2018, 10:33:35 pm
I am free of all my desires in Destiny until Forsaken comes out. Finished all the Solstice armor sets, beat the hard mode Leviathan raid, and hopped in a pickup group for Spire of Stars. Now I'm only going to get on to help clan mates do stuff if they need it.

This means I will return to playing Zelda on the reg. Will resume updates on my journey through the wilds tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 August, 2018, 11:05:34 pm
I found the Master Sword but I doubt I'm strong enough. Six hearts doesn't seem like my full strength, so I'm just gonna see about doing the shrines in these here Lost Woods instead.

I'm a bit vexed by this one right by the Deku Tree, though. It says to look at the stars for the answer, but you can't actually see them from beneath the tree. Hmm.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 August, 2018, 12:09:22 am
I actually remember being stuck on that shrine for a bit. Definitely took me a while, but the solution ended up being more straightforward than I expected after I looked it up lawlz. I guess just don't overthink it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 August, 2018, 07:59:48 am
Yeah my attempts at stargazing haven't really panned out, so I'm just going to go back in there tonight and throw balls around probably.

I did the other Lost Woods trials last night, though. I realized as I was doing it that I had read about the Lost Pilgrimage sometime last year, and thankfully I didn't have as much trouble with it as that person.

I finished upgrading my runes with Purah, and I think when I'm done in the woods I'll try to find my way back east to look for the other scientist person I've heard about. Though I was originally heading west to look for Lake Hylia, so maybe I'll see if I can stumble upon that. I still kinda want to skirt Death Mountain and the surrounding area until I'm ready to get caught up in the plot again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 August, 2018, 08:41:38 am
Yeah my attempts at stargazing haven't really panned out, so I'm just going to go back in there tonight and throw balls around probably.
My first instinct to look at the ceiling for stars was totally wrong, but I noticed the constellations on the wall as soon as I went back into the shrine, so that's done.

I rode back down to the river and was briefly lured south by a cluster of rocks that I could bomb. Found an upgraded lightning rod in a cave there, and then I started getting pings from my shrine sensor, so I went and tracked that down.

After that, I noticed that if I continued West I'd have to take a pretty circuitous route around the castle to keep going, so I turned around and set out for Akkala. I found the Foothills Stable after missing the fork to keep going northeast. I heard that road leads to Goron City, which is apparently rather hot, and I don't have a ton of heat resistance at the moment. So I turned around and got back on track, stopping for the night outside a monster camp at the next fork.

Also I had been wondering if Stalmoblins exist, and it turns out yes, they do.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 August, 2018, 09:07:53 am
I'm not sure how best to proceed in Akkala. It's a bigger region than I had realized, and I wanted to go for the tower first, but the base is heavily fortified by that citadel and the flying guardians. I've yet to get close enough to engage with them. The spotlight makes me think maybe they have a focused detection radius and that I could sneak past them, but I need to get a closer look to see how feasible that is.

My other option would be to explore the region blind, without a map or proper vantage point. I've got word that one of the contractors is out east building a village by the lake. I think the scientist guy is probably to the North in the direction of the "Spring of Power."

I've also gotten my closest look yet at Death Mountain, and... something stirs up there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 August, 2018, 01:12:08 am
I decided to take on the citadel, and it went well aside from the three times I would have died without Mipha's Grace and some fairies. I didn't realize from afar that the flying Guardians are full-size instead of scout-size. I'm also not super well equipped to take them on, so I mostly dealt with these by avoiding them or knocking their propellers off so they'd fall down the mountain. The top of the citadel was cool too with the whole blight thing going on. Bit disappointed I couldn't shoot the cannon up there.

Akkala is another reminder to myself that "oh right this game is really big." From the top of the tower I saw like ten different things I wanted to go do. I decided I would still press on to the lab first, but then on the way there three different people told me I should head to skull lake to find the Fang and Bone. There's a shrine there so I'll go anyway. Also met Pikango at the stable and he said there's another memory to recover nearby.

I'm trying not to fast travel much, so I lit the furnace at Robbie's lab even without a torch. I used moblin clubs and tree branches to carry it there. I find myself wondering (like near Hateno) if lighting all the lanterns will do something or if there are just a lot of them to give me many routes back to the lab.

It storms a lot in this region, and I'm running out of non-metal weaponry.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 August, 2018, 10:05:51 pm
Nothing makes me change course like a Lynel, and there are two Blue-maned ones roaming in pretty close proximity in this region. I'm also running low on arrows, which makes for some interesting improvisation when I walk into a forest full of octoroks in the middle of a thunderstorm. I'm also annoyed because I talked to Kilton but didn't know he would leave before I could get his picture.

I did manage to get up to the shrine at Skull Lake, though, and after that I rode up and around to the Akkala Wilds to see what else was up there. Crossed slightly over into the Eldin region because Gut Check Rock caught my eye. More than that, though, I'm on the trail of another one of those dragons. I saw Dinraal's tail disappearing over the horizon that way, but I'm not going to go further west at this point. Planning to head back East and work my way along the coast toward that huge conspicuous labyrinth thing, and then heading South toward Lake Akkala and that spiral peninsula thing.

I marked some Black Hinoxes on the map, too, but didn't take them down because I didn't want to waste my weapons. Occurs to me now that they have enough hanging around their necks that I would probably come out even. I still need more arrows, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 August, 2018, 09:26:08 am
that huge conspicuous labyrinth thing
I died many, many (several) times, not because I went to Lomei Labyrinth Island, but because I left it.

It was certainly worth it to go and loot the maze. I got some giant cores, the shrine, and then the Barbarian helm, which is rad. I'm not sure what's more helpful, the extra attack power or being able to see enemy health bars.

There was a Guardian in the lobby of the maze, which I was able to avoid just by running and breaking line of sight. I noticed the two flying around above the maze as well, no doubt to keep people from climbing over the walls (though I doubt that stops people and I'm guessing there might even be something up there).

So once I felt like I had everything, I hopped off the ledge and floated down to the beach. My horse was still at the top of the cliff, so I started running, grabbing a couple of korok seeds along the way.

And then I saw it. Another Guardian. On one side, the sea. On the other, a sheer cliff face. There was virtually no cover. No way around.

I tried to run past it, but the machines are so fast, and I could only seem to dodge the first shot. And getting hit once usually means death, not necessarily from getting one shot but because the stagger lasts so long that I can't hope to avoid the follow up.

When it became clear that I had to fight, I assessed my arsenal. I was short on regular arrows, but I assumed they wouldn't do me much good anyway. I had plenty of strong swords and stuff, but without a way to stun the damn thing, there was no way I was getting up close.

Fortunately, I had plenty of Shock Arrows. It could be that any direct hit to the eye will stun them, but these seemed to do good damage on top of the stun. With the head unit momentarily discombobulated, I rushed in and started swinging with an 8-fold blade. Breaking the first leg startled me. I wasn't sure it would be that easy to do, but the strategy was clear after that. An arrow to stun whenever it started tracking me, break another leg. Then another, and so on until it was immobilized. After that, it went down quickly enough.

(Also these things have 1500 health, and a bomb does 2 damage. I had seen a tutorial tip about using bombs to flip them over, but without a guaranteed way to get them underneath, I don't see that happening, unless I'm missing something.)

I harvested the wreckage for machine parts and set off down the beach.

There was another one not 200 yards away.

Eventually I remembered to save after killing the first one, and then I downed the second one, too (throwing the Lightscale Trident through its eye as the killing blow).

I shambled up to the stable at sunrise, my meal pouch significantly lighter.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 20 August, 2018, 04:54:14 pm
I wish I could respond to your commentary but I have legitimately forgotten like everything in this game, even though I played it a little less than a year ago. I do think I remember that labyrinth island though and feeling claustrophobic. The guardians were also stressful to fight, especially in that area, but I came out feeling relief.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 August, 2018, 08:44:59 pm
Forgotten? Strange.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 August, 2018, 09:18:24 am
oh cool, cdpr making stupid, stupid jokes

Made it to Tarrey Town last night, which was good because I had a lot of Spirit Orbs to cash in (I now have a two full stamina wheels and 8 hearts, and will probably just focus on hearts for a while). I also needed to do some cooking, so I did that. I also got a better look at Kilton and exchanged some monster parts for Mon, which, ok. I bought the masks he was selling because running up to a group of bokoblins and chilling sounds cool. Not sure if that's how it works but I'll find out.

I went south from there, toward some sort of Grotto (don't remember the name, started with a U). Did some more shrines. Oh and before that I found another Fairy Fountain, which was cool. I'm short on the fish I need to get my full Zora set to level 2, which is probably the only set I currently have that would provide a bonus, but IDK. Was glad to have found that, though, as I was wanting to go back and visit the first fairy again, so this sort of saves me a trip. Though honestly I need to ride back down that way anyway at some point. And I also need to go back to the Korok Woods. I've got a lot of riding to do once I've finished exploring Akkala.

Which I nearly have. I still don't have a better lead on Dinraal, but he must be further west. I also toyed with the idea of exploring those islands off the coast, but I saw flying guardians and I've got such a full inventory that I don't really want to do that yet. I'll come back later and see if there's anything good out that way.

I got my horse stuck again and am having to run back to the stable now, which is a bummer. Wish there was a way to fix that. Not getting the horse stuck is the best option, I guess.



Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 August, 2018, 09:34:02 am
I've departed Akkala for now. There will be reason to return later, but for now I'm off to Lethal Lava Land.

I took the path leading up from the Woodland Stable, riding my horse as far as I could go before carrying on on foot. It wasn't the best way to go to get to the Eldin Tower, but it did lead me to a memory recall.

Once I got a good view of the road and the lava flows, I did manage to locate and ascend the tower. There sure is a lot of lava on the map.

I came prepared with fireproof potions as I was stocking up on lizards whenever I ran into Beedle in Akkala. That came in handy because I didn't have to find many more to trade for the fireproof armor set (which I kinda like the look of). With the time limit off, I kinda want to head back down the road and look at some stuff I skipped over, but I think I'll press on to Goron City instead. Plenty of time for proper exploration later.

Which I would say I'm realizing is one of my favorite things about this game? Like, I have a hard time putting it down, but I also don't feel like I'm in any hurry to finish it. I know at this point that I won't "beat" the game before the Destiny expansion comes out, and that's pretty liberating. I wouldn't mind if it takes me months to finish this, just picking it up here and there, even for twenty, thirty minutes at a time. Just climb to the top of something, find something interesting to head toward, see what happens along the way.

It's a really calming game for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 August, 2018, 07:49:39 pm
I agree with not feeling compelled to beat it. I had a lot of fun just messing around at my own pace until something finally clicked for me to finish. I usually don't get like that in open world games.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 August, 2018, 08:14:09 am
The gorons are funny.

I got to the city last night and cleaned it out pretty quickly. Got the rest of the fireproof armor (which kinda stresses me out to wear on account of the low defense). There's something that bugs me about the merchants and economy in this game, though. They have a limited stock of items, which is the main reason I never have any freaking arrows, but you can sell them an unlimited number of gems to get theoretically infinite rupees. For half a second I balked at the 2000-rupee sticker on the Flamebreaker helmet, but then I remembered I was carrying enough gemstones to buy three of them. Why, if wealth is so easy to acquire, is supply so limited?

I went on to do a bunch of shrines in the area, and then set about getting the Boss's painkillers, which was really fun. I liked using the cannons to mess up some lizalfos.

Yunobo is adorable.

Another thing, how are there koroks on Death Mountain? How are they not just kindling?

Also the gorons stand in pretty stark contrast to the zora. None of them remember me. They also don't seem to be nearly as threatened by the Divine Beast. Vah Ruta was a threat to the entire country, evidently, but the gorons seem at most inconvenienced by Rudania. Maybe there's a greater threat they haven't told me about, or maybe they just don't understand the magnitude of the situation. I guess I'll find out whenever I head back and talk to Bludo again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 August, 2018, 09:05:33 am
Over the weekend, I:

- Purged Vah Rudania. The Dungeon part was still fun, but Fireblight Ganon was a bit too easy. Now I have Daruk's Protection, which is neat.

- Descended down into the Deplian Badlands, where I learned that there is a third tier of Lynel. I have never run so fast.

- Staked out Dinraal, the Dragon of Power, and claimed one of their scales.

- Solved the mystery of the shrouded shrine within Typhlo Ruins. Fighting a Hinox in the dark is pretty cool, I guess.

- Returned to Tarrey Town to see what progress has been made. I'm now supposed to find a Gerudo whose name ends in 'son.

- Returned to Kakariko Village to pick up the stealth set finally. I'm annoyed that Impa and Paya still won't give me the orb.

- Returned to Hateno Village. I bought everything for my house, which is so nice and homey now. Also dyed a bunch of my armor (mostly purple).

- Returned to Mount Lanayru to solve a shrine quest that I'd left when I didn't have enough cold mitigation.

Now I am venturing out again to the darkened parts of the map. I've decided to head to the center first to unlock the tower for the region with the castle, though i don't mean to stay long. After that, I'll head south from Necluda. That's the most mysterious region to me at this point. From there I'll work my way west and then north.

My rationale for this route is two-fold: the flying machine makes it obvious that the Rito are up in the northwest corner of Hyrule, and I want to save them for last. The second reason is that I want my next return to the Korok Forest (outside of any fast traveling I might do to upgrade my weapon slots) to be when I think I have enough hearts to pull The Sword. I've done about 51 shrines at this point. Doing as many as I can in the remaining half of Hyrule should set me straight, I should think.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 August, 2018, 12:30:26 pm
typhlo ruins was very cool


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 August, 2018, 08:30:10 am
Unlocked the Central Tower and considered looking around a bit more, but there sure are a bunch of Guardians crawling around that region. I briefly dipped into the ruins of this coliseum and, guess what, there's another effing Lynel in there. I suppose at some point I will fight another one of those, but then again I have not encountered a scenario where turning around and going in a different direction wasn't easier.

I did go over to the Outskirts Stable and got some idea of the layout of the western reaches, but my intention was still to go south.

No sooner had I made it to Hylia Bridge than I was confronted with Farosh, the last (?) dragon. It was on its way up, into the vortex in the clouds (dragons are not of this world), but I shot one of its scales off the next time I saw it. This is the first time I have the scale before knowing where the spring is (which I'm guessing will be the Spring of Courage).

Went down to the stable in this region. Won a pretty sweet new saddle. Awakened the Horse God (I didn't know my horse could die??)

Now I am in the jungle. Kass told me about another shrine, so I followed the path as far as I could, but I've hit a bit of a dead end at a river. Gonna have to go on foot from there on out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 August, 2018, 09:38:34 am
Last night, I stood on a rock at the top of a waterfall, sword in hand, and dared the gods to strike me down.

Now I have rubber pants.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 September, 2018, 12:16:27 pm
24 hours until forsaken a;ofia;woiehag


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 September, 2018, 01:42:39 pm
Anyway, Zelda update.

There are silver bokoblins, and those dudes are mean.

I'm down at Lurelin Village now, which doesn't have too much going for it. But this'll be a day at the beach for me while I explore the coastline.

The more I play, the more I'm pretty underwhelmed by the various rune abilities.

Bombs are fine, though I wish they were a little bit stronger. It would also be cool if there was a bit more variation between the round and square bomb.

Magnesis is also pretty good, but while the game will suggest you can use it to attack dudes, doing so isn't exactly easy to do.

Cryonis is one I always forget about, and it's not until there's like a treasure chest floating in the river that I remember I can use it. Like most of the time it's easier to swim across a body of water than it is to build a series of platforms. Getting the Zora armor early also took away the waterfall-climbing potential of the ability.

The one I really have beef with is Stasis, though. This one could just be easier to use in general. It's especially frustrating trying to move little rocks around to reveal Koroks, and the only time I get annoyed about weapon degradation is if it's from wearing stuff down doing that.

It could be that I'm not imaginative enough to use these things in other ways, but it just seems like I usually don't need them outside of shrines.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 September, 2018, 07:52:33 am
I tried to swim to Eventide Island, despite the Gerudo woman's warning that one would need wings to get there. It didn't work. I also don't have a Korok leaf, so I didn't bother finding a raft.

So I'm officially heading West now. I've found all the obvious shrines in this region (I'm up to 61), and I just got my first heart container on the second row. Also I'm either wise to most of the Korok shenanigans by now, or there are just some really densely populated areas because there have been several times where I find like three all with line of sight of each other.

I wish the game didn't punish me for being thorough with my documentation. It should let you save way more than 48 pictures. I came across a girl who won't let me have an orb until I show her pictures of three types of guardian. I've had pictures of the scout and flying types in the past, but they've long since been deleted so I could make room for new pics. Now I have to go track down specimens and get more pictures, when I might have just had them on hand if I could save like 200, 300 pictures instead. Better yet, they could just let you show people your compendium entry. This same thing happened to me when the Korok wanted to see a pic of a Blupee.

The last thing I did before stopping was recover a memory on Scout's Hill, overlooking Lake Hylia and the ruins of Deya Lake. I recalled Zelda asking if I hadn't wanted to be a knight, but if everyone told me I had to, that it was my fate, would I still follow that path?

Makes you wonder.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 September, 2018, 08:24:43 am
not gonna bore y'all with updates on the Destiny expansion, but I'll just say that so far it is extremely my shit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 10 September, 2018, 08:13:04 pm
Florence is coming for us bro. Be safe.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 September, 2018, 10:28:09 am
That shit's scary, be safe both of you.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 September, 2018, 09:06:45 am
Florence is coming for us bro. Be safe.
You too, Mattress.

Hoping power outage is the only thing I have to contend with. People on the coast are gonna get hit hard.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 September, 2018, 08:54:26 am
Miraculously, I did not lose power this weekend. A good portion of the state is still underwater, so I'm feeling fortunate.

Hoping Florence was equally gentle to you, Mattress.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 September, 2018, 05:54:13 pm
Glad to hear it wasn't too bad for you where you're at.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 19 September, 2018, 01:03:43 am
Yeah it wasn’t bad here, just a few downed trees where I’m at.

I went to Charlotte for relief efforts though and it was not a pretty sight

also thanks Floyd



Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 September, 2018, 08:29:20 am
well Charlotte isn't pretty on a good day


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 19 September, 2018, 06:19:05 pm
Lmfao that’s mean


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 September, 2018, 11:31:16 am
https://gematsu.com/2018/09/castlevania-requiem-symphony-of-the-night-rondo-of-blood-announced-for-ps4

hey have you ever played sotn because if not hey look you should get this


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 September, 2018, 09:29:42 am
I haven't, and I heard about that, so I will.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 27 September, 2018, 12:24:32 pm
It's the inferior PSP version from what I heard though, which is trash.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 September, 2018, 11:10:34 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qAgb09Ckog

This was stressful.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 October, 2018, 03:04:18 pm
deltarune.com


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 November, 2018, 03:50:55 pm
I picked up Tetris Effect and every time I open that game there's a danger that I won't close it for a couple of hours. It's a $40 Tetris game, but like, it's a really, really good Tetris game, too. I haven't even tried out a lot of the wacky side modes either.

Also I unlocked the Luna's Howl hand cannon in Destiny 2, which is a feat that required me to become acceptably decent at PvP, so that's cool.

And they brought back the Thunderlord and made it even better than it was in the first game.

I think over Thanksgiving break I'm gonna try and play some Zelda again. Even just a little bit.

I almost picked up Castlevania Requiem, but I think that might be a holiday break game for me.

Smash is like really close, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 November, 2018, 10:45:29 pm
normal mode in Tetris Effect is way harder and I'm honestly not sure I should even bother with it

also I cannot wrap my head around building for T spins


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 November, 2018, 09:39:23 am
are we friends on the switch yet gotta be ready for smash


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 November, 2018, 02:41:42 pm
not yet, we should fix that

I ordered a sd card for cheap finally

should probably pre-order the game, too

maybe

still undecided on if piranha plant is an urgent need for me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 November, 2018, 05:10:49 pm
he is obv

I have class tonight but sometime tomorrow I'll get the needed info and send it your way.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 November, 2018, 04:28:49 pm
ok I got the plant


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 22 November, 2018, 07:10:31 pm
good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 November, 2018, 08:01:40 am
one week


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 November, 2018, 08:23:35 am
I wonder if this will prompt anyone to temporarily visit this sad desolate wasteland for more than 5 minutes


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 November, 2018, 09:58:21 am
hopefully i wanna see spring and willard and unreal come back even if its just for five minutes to go "hey guys new smash" i miss em

also ronalddam your "africa in an empty mall" post on facebook gave me extreme bp vibes and i just wanted you to know i will think of it every time i am on here now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 November, 2018, 10:40:00 am
that is now the only version of that song for me

it's so right


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 30 November, 2018, 11:27:06 am
hopefully i wanna see spring and willard and unreal come back even if its just for five minutes to go "hey guys new smash" i miss em

also ronalddam your "africa in an empty mall" post on facebook gave me extreme bp vibes and i just wanted you to know i will think of it every time i am on here now
I'll always remember the time Spring came back to post about Bayonetta in Smash 4 and that's the last we saw him too iirc.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 November, 2018, 02:08:19 pm
hopefully i wanna see spring and willard and unreal come back even if its just for five minutes to go "hey guys new smash" i miss em

also ronalddam your "africa in an empty mall" post on facebook gave me extreme bp vibes and i just wanted you to know i will think of it every time i am on here now
I'll always remember the time Spring came back to post about Bayonetta in Smash 4 and that's the last we saw him too iirc.

its why im holding out hope


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 December, 2018, 01:11:49 am
I have unlocked Inkling, Ness, Falcon, K. Rool, ZSS, and Zelda mostly through playing classic mode and peaking at the story mode

it's 2:00 a.m. so I'm gonna sleep now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 07 December, 2018, 12:49:31 pm
Slogging through classic mode seems more fast than just camping in versus mode to unlock everyone it seems.

Just bummed I have to play Bayo then Little Mac and THEN Olimar yet to finally unlock Wolf apparently. Also My Music is gonna take forever with all of the stages, especially since they put a sliver of bar for everything by default it feels.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 December, 2018, 03:23:49 pm
I was having enough fun that I don't see it as a slog (though the credits shooter thing was starting to get old after five times in a row).

I'm not feeling the rush to have everyone unlocked in the first 24 hours, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 December, 2018, 04:56:33 pm
i liked the credits shoot oops


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 December, 2018, 10:59:21 pm
Apparently after you fight a challenger, you can go to the home screen on the Switch and then close your software, as long as you don't start another match. When you open the game back up, you can start a new match and get another newcomer. It's a lot faster that way.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 08 December, 2018, 02:39:54 am
I just can't stand how their AI swaps between easy to oppressive as hell.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 December, 2018, 03:26:51 am
i liked the credits shoot oops
I liked it too, I just didn't want to do it five times in a row.

After tonight I have

Bowser
Villager
Ice Climbers
Wii Fit Trainer
Young Link
Pit

Tonight I was mostly doing regular matches, and I've been trying to get at least one match with each new character I unlock. Inkling is actually pretty neat. The Ink mechanic is a nifty thing to have to keep track of.

Villager is, uh, ridiculous? The tree attack makes me laugh. I don't think I would ever play him under normal circumstances.

Zelda feels better than she ever has, although the Black Knight attack seems much less practical than transforming into a ninja.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 December, 2018, 11:52:14 am
Zelda's great in this, I used her in 4 here and there but the new design is pushing her up the ranks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 December, 2018, 03:07:32 am
New today:

Jigglypuff
Peach
Lucina
Wario
Ike
Pokemon Trainer
Sanic
Lil Mac
Shulk
Ryu
Ridley
Simon

Simon is super fun. I like how you can entrap people with his different projectiles and then get the whip in there. His down-tilt is also great for closing gaps.

I got to unlock Ridley with Samus, so that was neat. He's pretty cool, but I've obviously gotta work out the spacing for his attacks to get the most out of them.

I actually kinda like the idea of getting the hang of Ryu. Been mostly leaning on Samus and Falcon otherwise, in addition to the other two I mentioned.

Also Isabelle is broken and I can't beat her. Have tried twice.

Lost to Lucario, too, and the door hasn't appeared for me to rematch yet.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 December, 2018, 12:17:19 pm
nothing is more satisfying that trapping someone with the holy water and destroying them with his smash


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 December, 2018, 11:35:25 pm
Unlocked the more handsome Belmont today, as well as

Luigi
Daisy
Falco
Roy
Diddy
Lucas
King Dedede
Lucario

and finally, after four rematches

Isabelle

That puts me at 43 total, which is a bit more than half the cast at this point. Not bad for a weekend in which this wasn't the only game I played.

I've been doing this thing where I go through and just play every stage to both refamiliarize myself with them as well as get my bearings on the ones I've never played before. When I get to walk-off stages, I like to play characters with worse-than-average recovery. So when I got to the Wii Fit Trainer stage, I figured I would give Ryu a workout. After the match

CHALLENGER APPROACHING

it is of course my dude, Meta Knight, whose stage is not one I would play Ryu on

In addition to him, I've also got R.O.B. and I think someone I'm forgetting waiting for rematches. It feels like they're getting harder, either that or the characters have been adjusted in ways that I don't account for when fighting them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 December, 2018, 01:10:31 pm
The one I forgot was Pichu, which maybe I shouldn't admit, but oh well.

Picked up it, R.O.B., Meta Knight, Snake, and Toon Link before work/during lunch break (I'm working from home today because snow).

Encountered Chrom, but I got greedy and was punished for it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 December, 2018, 11:51:26 pm
Chrom is still being a huge bastard. Think I need to go heavy against him.

Managed to pick up

Dr. Mario, Ganondorf, Olimar, Pac-Man, Bowser Jr., and Bayonetta over the course of the evening, though.

I was finally doing some more World of Light and I think I need to learn to read the UI better. This one fight, Sakura, where you're up against Isabelle and Corrin and they're perpetually healing took me probably 10+ tries. Elsewhere on the board, I came across ZSS with the Boss's spirit, and noticed the battle was rated "Legend." I'll come back to that later (especially since I want to fight her as Snake).


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 December, 2018, 08:57:37 am
Apparently unlocks are deterministic if you go through Classic mode.

(https://smashboards.com/attachments/ec0c1cbc-eb61-4c12-9d0c-df5b31772c3f-jpeg.181942/)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 December, 2018, 12:37:52 pm
they are thats how i got simon in the first hour


Title: Re: random games
Post by: HyperOmar on 11 December, 2018, 02:35:20 pm
I thought I was cool for unlocking Sonic first with Mario.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 December, 2018, 12:04:14 am
At this point, I think I am only missing

Palutena
Robin
Wolf*
Mewtwo
Greninja
Cloud
Duck Hunt
Ken

and the Mii Fighters, but honestly who cares about them.

* encountered but didn't win

I got Dark Samus finally. She's pretty swag.

Also played as Mega Man for a match or two. He's the kind of quirky that I feel is terrible by default but I want to make him work and infuriate people.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 December, 2018, 11:59:14 pm
Palutena
Robin
Wolf*

Mewtwo
Greninja
Cloud
Duck Hunt
Ken

the list shrinks


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 December, 2018, 08:57:30 pm
It is done. They are all mine.

Now the real work begins.

also i really like cloud


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 December, 2018, 04:09:06 pm
I got caught up in World of Light last night after not really feeling it the first several times I played it. I was actually enjoying taking on some of the harder spirits. I'm still not messing around with the 4-star ones, but some of the 3-stars are actually beatable even with my spirits not leveled.

The Sigma fight is a stamina battle against a Ganondorf with a beam saber, and his AI is smart enough that you can't just repeatedly counter him or really gimp him in any way. I tried all kinds of cheesy tactics and eventually just had to get really aggressive as Kirby to kind of keep him staggered. That let me unlock Mega Man a lot sooner than I probably would have.

The Metal Gear Rex fight was similar except it was two giant metal R.O.B.'s that start with the submarine gun, and that let me unlock Snake. So now I have two fun characters to use compared to the half dozen or so that I had but wasn't really feeling.

Galleom was pretty hard, but once I learned what range to punish all of his attacks at, it didn't take too much longer to beat him.

This really is just the Event Match fights that I remember liking so much in Melee but spread out on a big map. The RPG stuff is goofy but it's not that hard to get the hang of.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 15 December, 2018, 04:31:59 pm
I've been spamming Little Mac, he really cheeses the crap out of the CPUs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 December, 2018, 11:50:41 pm
Cleared out the sky temple and the molten castle dungeons. Flavor of the day was Snake after mostly using Mega Man through the weekend. I unlocked Samus finally so I've got a fairly decent stable of characters I like to rotate through now.

There sure are a lot of spirits that need rescuing, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 December, 2018, 02:20:12 am
The other shoe has dropped in World of Light, so I guess I'm slightly more than halfway done with that.

I'm also having a friend come over to play tomorrow night, so I'll finally get to see how trash I am at this game in these early days.

Also I picked up Castlevania Requiem, so that's now on the figurative shelf.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 December, 2018, 03:10:29 am
I think all I have left in World of Light is the Dracula's Castle section (plus going back and cleaning up any spirits I skipped), which is fitting because I started Rondo of Blood tonight.

It is hard. I feel more confident on Richter in Smash. I got to the third stage and almost beat the minotaur (?). The spear dudes on the first floor are jerks, as are the medusa heads. Is there a subweapon that is supposed to be particularly good in this game? I feel like I remember there's always one weapon that's way better when I'm watching speedruns and stuff. The game just feels super punishing, but I appreciate it's one of those things I can get better at over time as I learn each level. It actually reminds of old Mega Man just without stage select and with fewer health pickups.

If I hit a real wall with this one I'll probably go ahead and start SotN, but I want to give it a solid try.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 January, 2019, 10:27:43 am
rondo rules i am glad you are playing it

Holy Water is usually the best subweapon in any CV game if you're looking to shred bosses and trap enemies in place, but most of them are situationally useful. Cross is pretty good as well.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2019, 12:17:37 pm
i hate the flea men so much


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 01 January, 2019, 01:41:52 pm
lmao yeah the flea men suck in every CV game I've played


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 01 January, 2019, 03:55:42 pm
I thought they were monkeys for a while in the NES games.

"Why does Frankenstein's Monster have a monkey with him?"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2019, 06:02:43 pm
that's what I thought they were but I figured I should look up the bestiary so I can curse them by name

Finished World of Light, 100%. Woohoo. The last fight is nuts in a good way. Wish the rest had been a bit more like that, but I had fun overall. Didn't think it was going to take 30 hours, but hey.

Now I need to unlearn playing with spirit buffs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 January, 2019, 07:42:23 pm
you should play the nes castlevania where one of the bosses has an invincible fleaman that can completely shred you

also sotn has fleaman armors get fuckin READY


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2019, 07:57:50 pm
haghaweohf


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2019, 10:23:33 pm
made it to the dullahan

did not make it past the dullahan

holy water is ineffective against it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 January, 2019, 08:37:51 pm
i'm pretty sure i always end up using the whip for that one


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 January, 2019, 09:00:23 pm
I eventually beat it, mostly using the whip, yes.

What's worse than flea men? Flea men on birds.

Despite that, I beat the next level, too, and killed Death.

Now it's the boss rush and I'm probably gonna look up some strats for that. I'm just kinda spamming Bible right now and it's not as effective as I want it to be.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 January, 2019, 07:58:43 am
thats one of my favorite fights in the series


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 January, 2019, 08:40:32 am
it was much cooler than any of the fights before it, I'll say that, troll scythes notwithstanding


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 January, 2019, 01:54:32 pm
Are you gonna try for the alternate routes/bosses at some point?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 January, 2019, 02:48:12 pm
I probably will, yeah. Once I beat the game I'll feel less pressured and more willing to try those things.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 January, 2019, 10:58:34 pm
Made it through the boss rush after studying some speedrun footage. Was actually able to beat it the first time I got to Shaft, though it took a few tries to get to that point because I was mistiming the Bible on the mummy.

And now I'm on stage 7, which

christ

the opening bridge basically costs me a life straight out the gate because I barely get across it with a sliver of life

then climbing up the tower with the water ghosts spawning all over the place is terrible

and then there's the series of red rooms with the giant green knights and the... xenomorph skeletons? They have extendo necks and they vomit bones on you and they're horrific.

I can't get past the red part of the level, so I'm gonna have to do some studying on that stuff. Plus survive enough through the first sections that I have some lives and leeway.

This is it, though. The final hurdle.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 January, 2019, 11:55:00 am
xenomorph skeletons? They have extendo necks and they vomit bones on you and they're horrific.

the sotn bestiary says they are "panther skeletons"

also def give a maria playthrough a shot sometime down the road


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 January, 2019, 11:55:53 am
those things don't act like any cats I've ever seen


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 January, 2019, 12:23:33 pm
monster cats


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 January, 2019, 03:07:53 am
it is done

Stage 7 was truly grueling, but I eventually got to the point where I walked into the boss fight with 53 hearts. I promptly died because I barely had health, but that was the morale boost I needed. I can't do the speedrun thing where you juggle the cape to death, but I was crucially able to interrupt the dragon summon a few times on my winning run.

I also want to point out that I made it to the penultimate level in this game without knowing what an item crash was.

After that, Dracula is like a lot of multiphase Dark Souls fights. It's a matter of learning the first phase well enough to have enough health for the second phase (which is actually easier anyway). That fight was all about spacing, too. I'd try to get where I was getting a double hit with the cross and also able to whip through the fireballs.

So yeah. Glad I was able to beat it. I'll probably go back later and try to play the alternate route. I rescued Annette, also, but it was on a run where I game over'd. I don't know if it doesn't count if you don't clear the stage on that attempt or what. Anyway, I'm not sure how to go about playing as the other girl.

Tomorrow I will start SotN and let my true edification begin.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 January, 2019, 12:06:09 pm
you can switch characters on the menu when you're starting a game

and fuck yeah sotn baby gimme all the good details


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 January, 2019, 03:32:08 pm
So because I'm the kind of person who hates the idea of being the DJ at a party or in the car, I'm wondering

Should we try to reach a consensus on a unified rule set?

How many stocks?
FS meter or no?
If items are on, which ones are allowed?
Which stages are enabled for random selection? (And are hazards on)?

I could make this a new topic if there's any amount of interest.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 05 January, 2019, 05:09:59 pm
I’m fine with any stage as long as Electroplankton is banned. Hazards are ok with me aside from maybe Yellow Devil.

Five stocks, maybe?

I like FS Meter, but some characters benefit more than others. For instance,  Marth’s Final Smash with meter is kinda pathetic while Ganondorf’s is stupidly good (in my experience) so I can go either way on that.

I’m fine with items except for the Special Flag.



Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 January, 2019, 05:56:44 pm
3 is my personal preferred stock, but I'm fine with anything between 2-5. The only stages I don't like are the super big ones like Palutena's Tmeple and Great Cave Offensive.

I'm with MM on Meter. I think it depends on how many people/how many stock for me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 05 January, 2019, 06:02:40 pm
I’m fine with any stage as long as Electroplankton is banned.
You speak my language fluently MM. This stage has been my bane since Brawl.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 05 January, 2019, 06:22:38 pm
We should start up a chat whenever we play.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 January, 2019, 06:32:01 pm
https://discord.gg/zMfvdj


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 05 January, 2019, 07:29:15 pm
I think 3 stocks 8 minutes is the healthiest ruleset I've tried, with my time in as Iggy Koopa I've been thinking that FS meter is neat until people get tired of losing stocks to my paintbrush.

So next time I'll prob just do all shenanigans off sans hazards maybe, only stages I take off my rotation are the giants ones, most of the retro stuff and the boring FE/Kid Icarus stages.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 January, 2019, 09:20:11 pm
I’m fine with any stage as long as Electroplankton is banned. Hazards are ok with me aside from maybe Yellow Devil.
God that stage is the worst. I played it on Omega mode recently and there's just straight up no music because of how it's supposed to work. Terrible.

Also I like Yellow Devil but feel like he needs to come about half as often as he does. As it is you spend more time fighting him than the other people in the match. If you could turn him off specifically, that would be nice.

3 is my personal preferred stock
I like 3 ok for 1v1, but I think when it's more than that it's nice to have an extra stock just so you don't get knocked out in a flash.

I think the stages I've turned off are mostly the biggest ones (GCO is a meme and a half), Hanenbow, anything that's 2D (I find them too hard to look at), and then some stages I just hate like the IC stage and so on. I think I also turned off some redundant stuff? Like I only have one Animal Crossing stage on because what's the difference really?

In any case, I guess this is something we'll work out over time rather than all at once. Just thought I would bring it up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2019, 03:52:26 pm
Right, so I started SotN last night.

I missed the very first save room and then died, so I got to do the Prologue twice. It was nice being able to sprint with Richter for all of two minutes. Also this version of the game straight up has a different translation so there's no "What is a man?" I guess, unless I'm dumb and that's from something else. I know that even in Japanese that isn't a thing (there was some interview where the guy quoted that line to Iga and Iga had no idea what he was talking about).

Slogra and Gaibon took me a few tries. The trigger for their trophy drop is a bit off, actually, because I killed the spear bird in one run but died to the flying dude. The next run I killed flying guy first and the trophy popped. So it just checks to see that you've killed both of them, not that they're both dead and you've won the fight. Amusing.

What's the justification for Alucard being able to use some of these subweapons? The knife and axe, sure. The Bible? Holy Water?

My favorite so far is the one where you just throw salt on enemies.

I made it into the Marble Gallery and kinda went as far as I could in two different directions before dying to really powerful enemies, so I don't know where to go next. Should be fun working all that out. I really want a weapon that isn't a shortsword, like, now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 January, 2019, 06:11:18 pm
yeah this one uses the psp translation which is "better" but its actually not better at all

the justification for alucard being to use them is that no one in castlevania cares about the story he's half vampire i guess

And those are the ashes of saints not salt!


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2019, 10:05:56 pm
It looks like salt to me, so that's how I'll think of it.

I went back to the Outer Wall which was one of the places I died yesterday and avoided the huge purple knight that wrecked me. Went up this time and found the Soul of a Wolf, so I can be a wolf now. Not sure to what end other than jumping across gaps with low ceilings.

I also fought a reflection of myself, which was tough but I managed it somehow.

Took a trip to my local library where I met the merchant/bookkeeper dude. I bought a map from him and a spell (Dark Metamorphosis) that I don't understand how to use.

Stepped into the Clock Tower long enough to figure out I can't progress there. Found a thing that warps me to the other side of the castle. Backtracked to the Marble Gallery and went down through some long hallways that included a huge guy with a ball and chain and Cthulhu (?) For my troubles I found a shield potion and opened a path back to the area right before the Alchemy Lab.

Oh and at some point I did some more backtracking and found Sunglasses, which, cool.

Back to not knowing where to go. I feel like I need to figure out what to do as a wolf, but I might have missed a door somewhere, too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 January, 2019, 08:33:47 am
Wolf isn't super useful right now for what its worth. Also all the spells using fighting game style commands and you can unlock them without buying them if you have the magic.

dark metamorphosis lets you heal if you make enemies bleed


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2019, 08:43:23 am
Yeah I figured out the inputs (makes me grateful that the game accepts joystick inputs as well as the d-pad), I just didn't know how the spell itself worked. I interpreted "shed blood" as kill stuff, but I guess maybe there's an actual bloodletting mechanic for certain weapons?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 January, 2019, 11:38:53 pm
Ok, jeez, I kinda did a lot tonight.

I started slow because I was just wandering around not sure where to go. Everywhere I went was a dead end. It did let me get my bearings, though, which was nice.

Finally I went back to the shop because I figured I could spend more money on something and that's where I saw that the very first thing he sells is the thing that opens blue doors. Oops.

Made my way to the underground caverns pretty quickly after that. Beat Scylla with a sliver of my health left. Rode the river after that and emerged near the entrance. After that I went to the only other blue door I remembered off of the Alchemy Labs and ran into Maria again.

Ran through the Chapel after that. You get a trophy for going into the confessional.

That area is kinda nervewracking as there isn't really a save room before the boss I walked into, but I managed to beat the Hyppogryph anyway.

That area connected to the Castle Keep, which led to me getting double jump. Took that back to the Clock Tower, which is only less hellacious than the Rondo one because I have better weapons. Like, they even recreated the red room with the sword lords (that come back as sword ghosts). I found some mail that heals me by walking, so I spent like 5 minutes holding forward against a wall, and it's a good thing I did that because of course there was another boss. I used like all of my healing items but did manage to beat the raven dude. Beating him didn't give me anything useful other than a way up into Dracula's keep except oops the stairs are broken. So this is what I keep running into, lots of places where I need to be a bat.

I was back in the library for some reason and fought another boss, a demon of some sort. That area netted me a Holy Rod (of course I can use this) and an Ancient Ceremonial Stone Mask, which I am now wearing. There was also a mist grate that I need to remember to go back to.

After all that I finally decided to go back to the clock room and see if I could do anything there, and somehow I opened one of the side passages? I don't know if this opens automatically or if I accidentally opened it. Either way, I ended up in Olrox's quarters and eventually the Colosseum. Richter is thriving. The wolfman and the minotaur are not. Also I found what has to be the most overpowered subweapon in the game. It's like a lightning gun? Lightning happens, that's all I know. Also got the blood cloak and mist form.

I found a bunch of weapons tonight, too, but the Holy Rod appears to be the best one. It's fast and strong and I think it does extra damage to skeletons (?). I know the Shield Rod can be pretty overpowered but I'm not sure how to use it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 January, 2019, 06:51:26 pm
Depends on the enemy type too. The bloody zombies bleed a lot.

Shield Rod is only broken with the right shield. If you equip it and a shield and then press both attack buttons at once you do a spell which is usually a buff of some sort.

did you appreciate the stone mask being in the library just like jojo because i didn't when i first played but i sure do now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 January, 2019, 11:15:06 pm
did you appreciate the stone mask being in the library just like jojo because i didn't when i first played but i sure do now
yes

so I beat the game tonight. accidentally. twice.

I went back to the library and used mist form to get bat form, so then I went around going to all the places that I wanted to bat to. That eventually led me to the throne room, and oh hey, there's Richter. He really hurts, especially when he traps you in the corner with his dash attack and holy water. He kept blocking my subweapons too, which really annoyed me given that I had accidentally dropped my lightning gun. After getting wrecked multiple times I eventually decided to head back to the colosseum to get the lightning thing back. On my way, I flew up a long shaft right outside the teleporter in Olrox's quarters, which led me to, among other things, Olrox. He was also a hard fight, but I actually managed to beat him after finding the Estoc and the Sword familiar.

I have a lot of familiars now, too. Are any of them worth a damn other than the sword? I figured out the faerie points out secrets, but the ghost and demon just seem to float around and sometimes attack things.

After all that, I got the lightning gun back and went back to Richter, and with a lot of healing and a little luck, I killed him. And then the credits roll. And I know that's not how that's supposed to go down.

So I loaded my save file and started wandering around the map again.

I found some more wolf powers. I found another mist power. I found a long hallway covered in spikes that bat and mist wasn't enough to get through (I died a lot tonight).

I ended up back in the big clock room (where I would get the Gravity boots (why give you these after giving you bat form?)). I wanted to know how to get past the right statue, so I looked it up (I guess the Alucart set is for handicapping yourself? at this point in the game?). In looking that up, I heard tell about some rings and a set of armor that breaks spikes and an ape skeleton that I don't know when I would have found without looking it up.

Those catacombs sure are a place where terrible things are. The ark skeleton is a great enemy. The gremlins are not. I'm glad I thought to switch back to my holy rod at this point because I did not really like the Estoc. Not being able to slash while crouched is antithetical to my play style.

I'm also glad the sonar ability has a purpose? I guess only for that room, but it was neat. And so now I have the spike breaker armor. While I was down there, I kept wandering around and eventually stumbled into the Granfaloon (great name for a boss, especially that one). And that let me get the Mormegil (also the Icebrand somewhere along the line). I also picked up the holy armor at some point, both of which make me kind of a powerhouse against holy enemies, which... I can think of one that I had a pretty tough time with.

So I went back up to the chapel, walked down the hallway, and I guess Maria also has spiked armor. She ran off after finding out about Richter, and I thought she might have gone to confront him, so I figured I would go have a rematch.

Nope. Just the credits again, though the fight was lopsided in the other direction at least.

I stopped there, and I'm assuming I need to find Maria again as well as the other ring of course. I'm not really sure where to go now, though, and I don't want to keep sliding down that slope of looking things up. The only grey areas on my map are the rooms beyond the throne room and some areas that are submerged down in the underground caverns. I don't know how to swim, though, and I'm not sure if I have enough health to tank a dip?

Things to puzzle through tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 January, 2019, 07:53:06 am
Demon unlocks some very specific areas but not the ones you need. Ghost mostly is used for health absorption. Sword is by far the best one.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 January, 2019, 08:08:59 am
All right, good to know.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 January, 2019, 12:04:40 am
The trophy for killing Succubus is called "You're Tearing Me Apart, Lisa!"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 10 January, 2019, 02:54:55 am
that is incredible


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 January, 2019, 07:54:52 am
Also I almost killed Richter again because I was talking to a friend and had one eye on the MMX relay, so I didn't notice the Shaft orb until he went into desperation mode. Was really scared my familiar was going to kill him.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 January, 2019, 10:19:05 am
The trophy for killing Succubus is called "You're Tearing Me Apart, Lisa!"

oh my god


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 January, 2019, 05:31:19 pm
have you played enough sotn to appreciate this video yet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYskaGUIO4A


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 January, 2019, 11:16:30 pm
On a pretty basic level, I'd say so. Not sure if there's a more specific reference there.

I haven't played all weekend unfortunately. Hoping to get back into it tomorrow and throughout the week.

I kind of just started playing FFIX, so, oops. That'll probably take a while to get through, but I'm gonna try and make it a chill "here and there" sort of thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 January, 2019, 09:52:54 am
youef was asking me about ix the other day funnily enough

I greatly appreciate that you are playing so many PS1 games, blessed console.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 January, 2019, 11:22:24 am
It's a console that I only interacted with during visits to my friend's house. I've filled in some gaps over the years, playing FFVII in college, MGS a few years ago, and SotN and IX now, though with all of those it's less that they're PSX games and more that I just am aware that I should have played them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 January, 2019, 11:33:40 am
Was hoping to play IX shortly after X. Apparently it's being re-released on the Switch sometime this year so I'm thinking I'll just play it on that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 January, 2019, 11:34:27 am
PS1 was my first console so I have a special place in my heart for it. I like the dumb shitty polygons too I don't even care.

you should also play silent hill imo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 14 January, 2019, 11:36:24 am
Play Assault Rigs, Skullmonkeys and Incredible Crisis.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 January, 2019, 12:24:26 pm
Was hoping to play IX shortly after X. Apparently it's being re-released on the Switch sometime this year so I'm thinking I'll just play it on that.
It'll probably be the same port, which is the mobile port. Seems fine although the battle menus feel huge.

you should also play silent hill imo
not a lot of interest here


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 January, 2019, 12:44:15 pm
*scowl face*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 January, 2019, 09:29:27 pm
*scowl face*


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 January, 2019, 10:11:26 pm
Made it to Lindblum. That sequence with Black Waltz No. 3 is really what sold me on this game when I was younger.

The early characterization of Zidane is really rough, though, isn't it? This Cassanova schtick doesn't really fly at all. Everyone talks about how good the characters are in this game, so I guess he must develop.

Vivi is great, though. Sweet, precious Vivi.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 14 January, 2019, 11:42:21 pm
Play Silent Hill 1 you coward.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 January, 2019, 08:19:09 am
there are good characters in ix but zidane sucks and its weird to me to see people think he's a top tier ff protag

also

Play Silent Hill 1 you coward.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2019, 08:35:15 am
I played some SotN for the first time in several days, delving into the Reverse Castle, which has significantly stronger enemies. I have no idea how to consistently kill black panthers.

I managed to fight my way into a corner, basically going through what was the chapel, killing Medusa, then ending up in what was Olrox's quarters and killing the Mummy. Found the Twilight Cloak and Alucard Mail along the way, which was neat. Also I killed the Mummy while in bat form because it felt easier. I made it to the reverse clock room and then climbed up into the caverns. I stopped at the save room next to the portal to the Succubus, except there's nothing in that room now other than a peanut. I guess I'll keep climbing. Knowing where bosses appeared in the lower castle seems to indicate where they should appear in this one, so I'll keep fighting through stuff.

Next up in FFIX is the Festival of the Hunt.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 January, 2019, 08:53:27 am
panthers are a pain

Have you fought any Guardians yet?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2019, 09:23:38 am
I used bat to fly over them on my way into the clock room because they were very scary.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 January, 2019, 09:32:51 am
very good plan


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2019, 11:42:41 pm
Freya is a dragoon, which was my favorite job in the portion of Tactics that I played, so she's gonna be in my party a lot. I had her win the festival to get the ring that absorbs lightning, too.

Quina is a frog that eats frogs? All right.

Also I made a lot of money selling cotton robes.

(I'm using a walkthrough 'cause I don't like missing stuff in these games)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 January, 2019, 10:24:10 am
Kojima is in Finland visiting Remedy right now and apparently he took the opportunity to meet one of his favorite bands, Apocalyptica. He also cited HIM and The Rasmus as two other Finnish bands that he likes, all of which makes complete sense somehow. I'm expecting the next Death Stranding trailer to be set to "Bittersweet."


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 January, 2019, 05:16:27 pm
freya is like objectively the best and coolest character in ffix


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 January, 2019, 11:25:37 pm
kuja's outfit is egregious

I spent entirely too much time tonight trying to dig up treasure maps, but I have a blue chocobo now

also Beatrix might be one bad bitch but I stole all her shit, so ha


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 January, 2019, 02:31:09 am
the Death fight was kinda underwhelming, but I have no idea how to kill Galamoth


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 January, 2019, 10:04:23 am
Yeah SotN Death is a lame one sadly. The fights in the Sorrow games are the best Death fights.

There's lots of ways to break the Galamoth fight, one very specific one that makes it a joke. I've beaten him without those once or twice. One of my favorite bosses.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 January, 2019, 11:39:58 am
I tried like six times last night and got stunlocked every time. The nice thing about this game is that save rooms are usually right next to bosses, so it's easy enough to just throw myself at a boss until something clicks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 January, 2019, 01:51:43 pm
well if you ever want tips i can give them do you but like i said there's a few options that trivialize the fight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 January, 2019, 11:17:17 pm
the trophy for killing Galamoth is "Finish What Kid Dracula Started" which I'm assuming is amusing.

Killed Beelzebub, too.

At this point I am kinda just floating around the castle as a toxic cloud trying to find stuff and fill out the map.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 January, 2019, 11:33:13 pm
it is very amusing


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 January, 2019, 11:17:39 pm
Played FFIX tonight. Did the cotton robe trick again and spent a lot of time grinding AP in Gargan Roo. Next, Cleyra.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 January, 2019, 11:07:47 pm
cleyra happened


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 January, 2019, 08:15:16 am
Did the Alexandria escape sequence last night, but I also played some BotW yesterday.

I had left off in the grasslands on the western edge of the Faron region and soon found myself in a valley with some black lynels. I rode up and to the west looking for a way into what I presume is the desert and wound up at a shrine surrounded by a trash heap. There was a woman outside who must be the worst cook in Hyrule. Not sure what to make of her.

I also had an experience, either at that Shrine or another one, of making it way harder than it needed to be because I didn't realize I could pick up a laser block. I did some complicated thing where I was trying to throw bombs at precise angles to hit a switch and cycle some platforms.

Back in the valley, I came into a savannah like field with a pack of wild horses, except there was something off that immediately caused me to pull out my binoculars. Among them was the biggest horse I've ever seen. The compendium aptly identifies it as a Giant Horse. I tried to snag him, but it seemed like I didn't have enough stamina.

I kept looking for a path that would take me west, but there was only a sheer cliff face everywhere I checked along the valley. In the end, I rode my horse all the way out of Faron, across the Lake Hylia bridge, and around the Great Plateau to come in via the suspension bridge to its west. That put me in a different valley, one with wooden planks mounted along the walls of the ravine. There was a man there who wanted to buy my horse, but I didn't want to sell that one. I'll catch a wild horse for him at some point.

It also seemed like I encountered just a ton of Yiga, but I might have forgotten how common they are.

At some point I found a ramp and made my way onto the catwalks. My sights are set on the region's tower, but I had to stop before I could properly plan my approach.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2019, 08:23:06 am
This music stomps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XR9szrzY0k


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2019, 06:27:19 pm
https://twitter.com/celeste_game/status/1088931602841985026


ohhhh shit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 January, 2019, 10:29:28 am
god I thought I was done with that sh(http://)it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 January, 2019, 11:45:54 pm
Finished SotN.

I sort of wish there had been more to figure out in the reverse castle. I knew where all the bosses would be after it was clear they would be in the same rooms. Galamoth was the only challenging fight and it wasn't challenging once I figured out what to do. Then again, it did feel good to be powerful and have all my stuff back, but it made it lame to pick up different items that were hidden around the other castle.

Also it wasn't relevant after a while, but the healing system felt super clunky in that I had to equip a potion or meat, unpause to use it, and then go back and re-equip whatever I had on before. Just being able to heal from the menu would have been nice in the situations where I needed it.

But overall it's still great fun and I'm glad I played it. I gather there's a Richter mode or whatever but I'll do that some other time.

Going to focus on FFIX now and also maybe actually play more Smash? I'm available more nights than not if people want to play.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 January, 2019, 08:14:17 am
gotta play some aria/dawn of sorrow next


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 January, 2019, 08:15:00 am
Also I would definitely like to play more Smash. Tonight won't be a good night but moving forward if people are playing let me know.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 January, 2019, 12:08:55 pm
gotta play some aria/dawn of sorrow next
I don't like messing around with emulators, so this probably won't happen.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 27 January, 2019, 12:33:52 pm
Random is TOO AFRAID and too much of a COWARD to work VBA and play Aria of Sorrow, the true best Castleroid.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 January, 2019, 03:49:57 pm
guess i have to mail you a ds and a copy of both games se what you do to me ronaldam


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 January, 2019, 10:18:46 pm
According to the walkthrough I'm using, I have reached Disc 3, and I'm really glad for it.

The second half of Disc 2 was reasonably cool storywise, but I wasn't happy with my party choices. Granted, being forced to run two healers was a blessing in an area with lots of undead enemies, but like

I missed Freya and Steiner. Eiko is annoying and Amarant seems meh.

Also, I will take this moment to say that the limit break system in this game is trash for what I'm sure are well-documented reasons.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 January, 2019, 12:36:28 am
I think I dig the plant


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 January, 2019, 06:51:23 am
Same. I only did classic and some training but it seems fun. I like the side and down specials a lot. Not sure how to use neutral special in a useful way yet though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 January, 2019, 08:38:09 am
I just played a few quick games against the CPU. I also like the side B but have to teach myself that it doesn't have hitstun. I can't see how down B will be useful, but neutral B is gonna be excellent for edgeguarding. You can cover high and low recovery if you use it well.


Edit: I have since realized that you can change the direction of the down-special move.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 January, 2019, 08:11:21 am
Made it into the desert proper in BotW. I suspected it would work like a real desert (hot in the day, cold at night) and was glad to see it does. I don't have a ton of cooling potions, so I need to make some of those, and fortunately I've made it to the bazaar so that I can do so. I'm already getting the "You should go to Gerudo Town, oh you're a guy so they won't let you in, oops" thing, which honestly makes me just want to go out there first even without finding the outfit that will let me enter the city.

Before making it to the bazaar, I wandered off the road toward a shrine I had seen from the tower (and I appreciate that it was on top of Spectacle Rock), and wound up in a dust storm. It surprised me when I opened my map to try and figure out where my marker was and all I got was static. That's pretty cool and I wonder if it's localized to that specific part of the desert or if it can happen anywhere. I guess whenever I get around to dealing with Vah Naboris I'll probably find out. I'm not in a hurry, though.

Also, sand seals. I don't know if they're monsters or fauna, but I appreciate them.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 January, 2019, 10:28:39 pm
FFIX has suddenly turned into a game that has a space ship with a giant eye cannon and some old dude in black armor named Garland and I don't really know what to expect at this point except that Kuja is probably pissed.

Also Zidane is an alien or something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 February, 2019, 12:58:08 pm
garland is cool and doesnt get enough time in the game imo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 February, 2019, 01:15:37 pm
He reminds me of the bad guy from Bomberman Hero.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 February, 2019, 11:08:05 am
Watched a lot of Ultimate at Genesis 6 this weekend, and I came away from it wanting to get my Mega Man more in shape and also pick up Meta Knight more seriously. They each have different play styles and feel pretty unique, but it's more that they're characters I like, and seeing them played at a high level is cool.

Dark Samus is still my main. She's the character that I go to when I don't feel like anything is working if I just want to give myself a good chance. I actually breached 1 million GSP for the first time this weekend, though part of that is getting lucky with my matchups. The game that put me over was a guy whose preferred rules were all stages, items on, 1-stock. So, yeah.

I think it would be cool to get into Elite with Dark Samus -- though I don't know what the threshold for that is exactly -- and then try to follow up with secondaries.

In the interest of actually playing more Smash, I can say that the best way to hail me for a game is to @ me on Discord. Obviously the Switch doesn't show me online if it's just docked and powered off, but if I'm online on Discord, it means I'm around. Most people here should have me added already or be in the Lounge server, so holla at me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 February, 2019, 11:00:18 pm
I am grinding AP in FFIX right now and I am starting to wonder if maybe I should not be grinding AP.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 February, 2019, 09:45:08 pm
I am grinding AP in FFIX right now and I am starting to wonder if maybe I should not be grinding AP.
I stopped and I'm glad I did 'cause there were strong enemies where I was going as well as one of the friendly enemies.

Also Zidane has made the stunningly naive decision to just give in to Kuja's ransom demands and then not ask any questions about what he's being asked to do, so I'm over on the forgotten continent in some weird temple. Like there's no "The Forgotten Continent? What's that? What's the Gulug Stone? Why do you want it? What is the place we're going? Why isn't magic allowed?"

At least make the bad guy get irritated and threaten to kill your friends if you don't shut up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 February, 2019, 08:51:16 am
Astroneer got its 1.0 release yesterday. It's a game I've been looking forward to for a while, ever since it went into early access like two years ago. It's a cute space exploration/survival game with what I would say is more emphasis on exploration than survival. You have an oxygen tank and a battery built into your backpack (all the UI elements are diegetic), but you can build lines of tethers out from your base that will keep feeding you air and power, so long as you're operating within safe distance of a line, you'll be ok. There are more planets with different biomes, so there are probably other survival elements to be introduced later, but I think it's a pretty gradual ramp.

The other big thing this game does is give you a deforming tool that you can use to dig and mine for resources, and you can also use it to reshape terrain. So far the excavation mode feels better to me than the reverse, but hopefully I'll get more used to it.

You can find evidence of other astroneers scattered around your landing site and even down in caves, so there's some light story telling, I think? Plus there's references on the steam page and in the trailer to something hidden in the core of the planet and some kind of ancient relic (which is a path a lot of these kinds of games seem to lean toward).

Anyway, it's my new game to chill with and I'm happy about it.


I also played more Breath of the Wild yesterday. Gerudo Town sure is a place. I feel like the "vai-only" thing they've got going on could have been really good somehow, but instead I'm left thinking it all could have been done better. From Vilia and getting the Gerudo outfit to Ashai's classes... Like, it feels as though the Gerudo are halfway there being strong and well-trained and also culturally rich (the town itself is gorgeous and maybe my favorite city so far). But then there's this aspect of like "Ah yes, we have to educate girls on how to go out and talk to men."

also some voe totally called me a boot monster


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 February, 2019, 10:22:15 am
The planets in Astroneer are not proc gen, which I think is a change from early access. That lends the verbs of the game a little more weight. I know, landing on this planet, that it has been crafted for me to explore. And while it's the same planet out of the box for every other player, it still ends up being my own based on how I choose to deform it. I leave permanent marks and scars across the planet's surface as I strip it of resources and expand my web of tethers.

There's an entire hillside next to my landing zone that I carved out and then repaved with the flattening function of my multitool. When you suck up resources, you can store soil in a canister on your backpack. The regolith is multicolored, pastel blues, greens, and purples. But when I reverse it and build up or use the flatten functions to replace soil, it comes out in a starchy grey. There's no undo button in this game. As my base grows, this parking lot of platforms, centrifuges, and other machinery will continue to grow. The blight of my presence will spread.

I wonder if I could flatten the entire planet. If I could riddle it with holes you could see from space. And what would be the consequences of such an undertaking?





Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 February, 2019, 07:52:03 pm
I wonder if I could flatten the entire planet. If I could riddle it with holes you could see from space. And what would be the consequences of such an undertaking?

hey i know nothing about this game but cool thoughts man


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 February, 2019, 08:21:55 pm
I wonder if I could flatten the entire planet. If I could riddle it with holes you could see from space. And what would be the consequences of such an undertaking?

hey i know nothing about this game but cool thoughts man
Yeah I think it has flown under the radar for a lot of people, like small games are prone to doing.

In the interest of actually playing more Smash, I can say that the best way to hail me for a game is to @ me on Discord. Obviously the Switch doesn't show me online if it's just docked and powered off, but if I'm online on Discord, it means I'm around. Most people here should have me added already or be in the Lounge server, so holla at me.
Also going to bump this now that it's the weekend. I'm not going to be up late tonight but I should be around tomorrow and Sunday.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 February, 2019, 08:35:32 pm
Got plans tomorrow night but I think Sunday I'm free.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 08 February, 2019, 11:25:45 pm
Of course I have a dinner to go to on Sunday.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 February, 2019, 12:34:15 am
y'all act like neither of those days have an afternoon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 February, 2019, 10:14:08 am
afternoons are a myth

i'm here today though other than going to go buy food for the next few weeks in a bit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 February, 2019, 09:51:34 am
Had two very different Smash experiences this weekend. Played my brother on Friday night, who desperately needs to get a Gamecube controller adapter. He was using the JoyCons and apparently he has the thing where his left when repeatedly disconnects. He's also only got 24 characters unlocked. And he's pretty rusty, too. Got to try out a lot of the roster looking for characters I would lose with, though (Fox and Falco, apparently, after about a dozen games).

Then I played Floyd yesterday, and that was a wakeup call. For one thing, I misinterpreted it when he said he was going to play Plant and that he was "a bit green." I thought that meant out of practice, but it actually meant "growing strong and thriving." I need to get better at confirming kills (and not killing myself, apparently).

Evened out the weekend by going into quickplay and climbing a bit higher. I think I'm around 1.5 million GSP right now.

-

I've been playing Apex Legends here and there since it came out. It's my first BR game and I think I get why it's fun. The lack of downtime is a nice plus. If you lose, you're back to the lobby and queuing for the next drop. There's a lot of tactics and strategy to be had. I like the scouting aspect. The tension. Waiting for the right moment to strike. Choosing the wrong moment and getting your squad wiped.

The game also feels really good to play. Movement is fluid, the guns feel good, and each character is pretty fun to play as. I've been picking Lifeline more often than not (partly because I have kills on her and don't want my card to embarrass me when I pick other characters), but I want to learn some of the others like Bloodhound or Pathfinder.

Downloaded Origin to my PC (after avoiding it for a long time), so I've got Apex downloaded and also finally redeemed my code for Titanfall 2 that I got for cheap last year.

-

Didn't play too much Astroneer this weekend (not as much as I wanted to anyway), and I unfortunately lost about an hour of progress last night after a crash. There's no auto-save feature. Instead you have to return to your base and enter your shelter whenever you want to save. You should be doing this anyway as you venture out and return with more resources, but I was trying to stretch out an expedition last night and got a bit greedy, I guess.

I was exploring a mountain range, trying to see what I could see from the peaks and had run out of tethers just as I got to the summit. In the valley below, there was an abandoned rover, and I could just make out a medium wind generator. I wanted to run down and grab it but wasn't sure I could make it down and back without suffocating. I looked around some more and found a deposit of composite (the resource needed to make tethers). Something else I appreciate is that it actually takes longer to excavate rock than it does soil, and the sound and animation changes slightly, too.

When I made it down to the abandoned rover, I not only found the windmill but a medium solar array, too. It was as I was taking stock of the site and deciding how to proceed that the game came to a halt, so I'll have to make my way back there when I pick up next.

-

I climbed mountains in Breath of the Wild this weekend, too, but first I had to deal with the Yiga clan. I feel like I did their hideout the right way. I got caught once and died in the ensuing scuffle (those blademasters hit hard). When I reloaded, I equipped my sheikah stealth outfit and went to work. Most of the time I was moving through the shadows, taking out each guard one by one, I kept wondering "Why bananas?" Master Kohga was a pretty fun fight, too.

From his chamber, I climbed straight up into the highlands. I was better prepared for this trip than that first climb up Mount Lanayru so many months ago. In addition to my warm doublet, I also had Bozei's Snow Boots and a Ruby Circlet. With the Gerudo tower scanned, I looked at the map and decided to make a loop, traveling east from plateau to plateau before swinging back west.

It's pretty satisfying to just "nope" the ice enemies out of existence with a fire arrow or a flamesword. I still skirt around Lynels, though. I'm going to have to make a tour of dispatching them at some point down the line. I really regret not taking a picture of the big sword while I was up on the highest peak, too, but I at least found the rest of the statue and several shrines along the way.

I wouldn't say I deviated from expectations upon returning to Gerudo Town. After returning the helmet, I went with Riju to calm Naboris. I did make a point of wearing my Gerudo stuff to fight it, which meant I was running a defense potion. That fight was more fun than I remember the other two being, also.

I've got free reign of the desert now, and so far I've only gone out and destroyed the Molduga (killer music). I've got lots of sidequests to do before I leave this region, though the memory of a glowing mountain that I saw from the highlands haunts me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 February, 2019, 11:49:18 am
those were my first plant fights so i was green i didn't expect to take to its moveset so quickly WHOOPS


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 February, 2019, 07:56:53 am
https://youtu.be/pFAknD_9U7c

afoiaef;aoiwefja;sd


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 14 February, 2019, 07:59:33 am
yeah I am so pumped for that. We don't deserve Team Cherry.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 February, 2019, 01:24:42 pm
We really don't. It's inconceivable that they're a three-man team.

I had a panic that this was going to announce a release date in the near future because it would torpedo the delicate balancing act I'm trying to pull off right now, but thankfully it's just an announcement and I get to look forward to dedicating myself to it in the future.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 14 February, 2019, 06:27:57 pm
I've been playing Apex Legends here and there since it came out. It's my first BR game and I think I get why it's fun. The lack of downtime is a nice plus. If you lose, you're back to the lobby and queuing for the next drop. There's a lot of tactics and strategy to be had. I like the scouting aspect. The tension. Waiting for the right moment to strike. Choosing the wrong moment and getting your squad wiped.

The game also feels really good to play. Movement is fluid, the guns feel good, and each character is pretty fun to play as. I've been picking Lifeline more often than not (partly because I have kills on her and don't want my card to embarrass me when I pick other characters), but I want to learn some of the others like Bloodhound or Pathfinder.
I have been meaning to try this. Sounds good from reading this.
I couldn't get into Blackout and I absolutely loathe Fortnite, so Apex seems to be a good BR to get into!


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 February, 2019, 11:12:49 pm
Yeah I feel pretty good having waited for this one to play this kind of game. Like I said, it feels really nice, and the balance between different characters and guns feels very good at the moment. Some of them like Gibraltar could probably do with some tweaks, but it's really fun overall.

There was a good article today on Kotaku talking about how one of the reasons the game is succeeding is that everyone in a squad can contribute, even if they aren't necessarily fragging out, and I would agree with that.

I actually got my first two wins last night playing as Pathfinder, and both games I made use of the Zipline to get to high ground so our team could get the drop on a squad.

--

I played through the Daemon X Machina demo tonight. It's aight. It looks like there will be a lot of depth to customizing the mech and your player character (I had all robotic limbs by the end of the demo), but it didn't feel amazing to play. Flying and moving around in the mech is fine, but it's hard to gauge how effective my weapons are on anything but basic enemies. Part of that might be that the weapons they give you access to were pretty limited in this case.

It's got a lot going on, so I'll be interested to see what people say about the full release.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 February, 2019, 11:30:02 am
Notched 6 more wins in Apex this weekend. I unlocked Mirage and have really taken to him, much more than I expected. Turns out I win more fights when I can pinpoint the enemy and shoot them before they shoot me. I'm getting the tactics and strategy down, too. Feels good.

--

In bigger news, I've left the Gerudo desert, and I've taken the Thunder Helm with me, which I'm glad of. I briefly considered riding all the way east to Hateno village to die my Gerudo sets, but I figure it will make more sense to do that once I inevitably get another set from the Rito people. Instead, I headed north to the Korok Forest, through Central Hyrule.

It was a good reminder of why I typically avoid Central Hyrule. That place is lousy with Guardian Stalkers. I've been taking them on more often, and I've been putting work into learning the shield deflect timing, but I don't always get it. Long story short, I didn't have any shields left after this little venture. But I was taking that route because I was curious about a couple of things that I had seen on my map.

For one, there was the ruins of the ranch, which I somehow didn't expect to find. It was unmistakable, though. Almost more alarming than the Guardians crawling through there were the stal enemies on stal-horseback (!), which are actually quite willing to let you ride them afterward. I briefly considered riding one over to a stable, but before that something way more amusing happened. I dismounted and fed the horse an apple to see what would happen. It ate it... and then instantly decomposed. I was horrified but also laughing until I realized that the sun had just risen, and that's probably would did the monster in.

The other thing I stopped for was a memory, the scene of Zelda knighting Link. I think the performances could be better in a lot of these scenes, but I still like them fleshing out the relationship here. Anything for that signature Zelda sadness.

There was another scene waiting for me when I got to the forest, locked in the Master Sword. I enjoyed Zelda's exchange with the tree.

Also, I gather from the description that the sword only shoots beams when I'm fighting bosses? Or something? I thought you just had to have full health, but maybe I'm missing something there. I get that it doesn't want you to be able to use the sword at full power all the time and that's fine. Guess that's the same reason it's only a 30 STR weapon.

After that, I set out west toward the last cluster of regions left dark on my map. My present interest is the mountain that sometimes glows. I've seen it a couple of times but haven't had a convenient moment to get over there yet. I now know that it's called Mount Satori, which is interesting. Also I don't know how I would have climbed the Ridgelands Tower without the Thunder Helm. Probably would have wasted lots of arrows.

The mountain isn't glowing at the moment, but I've got the whole region to explore while I wait.

I'm having to readjust to rain after being in such an arid place for so long.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 February, 2019, 01:46:06 pm
Been slacking on my video game diary, here.

I played more Zelda last week, accomplishing the following:

- Completed my initial survey of Hyrule Ridge.
- Tamed the pure white horse and named it Argent.
- Climbed Mt. Satori and communed with the forest god Lord of the Mountain.
- Crossed the Tabantha Great Bridge, entering Rito territory. Made my way to the tower there, and then onward to Rito Village.
- Purchased warm clothes. Did a few shrines in the nearby area. Maxed out my stamina wheel.
- Boarded Vah Medoh with the aid of Teba (fun sequence). Purified the Divine Beast and defeated Windblight Ganon. Fun fight, though not challenging, and probably my favorite Beast.
- Rode up to the Hebra Tower and synced that, completing my map of Hyrule.

So now I'll be preparing for the final fight, though those preparations stand to be lengthy. I'm supposed to go talk to Impa first of all, and that might be a good call as a way of recentering me for my next wave of exploration, but I also want to sort out the matter of those snow boots while I'm relatively in this neck of the woods (that being the Western side of the map).

Anyway, it's probably time for me to learn how to fight Lynels.

--

Been playing Apex at a steady pace. I've got at least 10 wins on Mirage now, but I don't seem to have much luck when I try other Legends.

Have fallen off of FFIX and Astroneer in the past week, but I'm hoping to return to them this week.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2019, 08:59:29 am
After getting Dark Samus to 3 million GSP, I decided I should play some other characters.

I either get close wins as Mega Man or I get stomped. There are some tough matchups with him, especially Palutena. I still struggle with control a lot, too. Doing moves I don't mean to do.

One thing in general I notice I'm bad about is habitually trying to do moves almost off of muscle memory that I would use a lot on one character but that's bad on other characters. Like I use up-tilt a lot with Samus cause it has great coverage at the ledge and can hit someone on a platform (though I've been getting punished a lot more on the windup, I've noticed). But then I find myself up-tilting a lot with Mega Man, too, and that is not a move you can just throw out because he can get punished super hard if it doesn't connect. So that's just something I need to do better as a player.

Anyway, I also played a match as Samus, which I should do more because that's free roster GSP. Played a game or two with Cloud. Tried two games with Snake and just got absolutely destroyed because I don't think I've touched him since December.

I heard that to get into elite Smash you have to play basically every day, which makes sense. Kinda puts a damper on my hopes of getting into it, but I'll just have to see. Game's not dead for me yet.

--

I put some good time into FFIX this weekend and I've made it to Disc 4 finally. Now there's a medium-sized list of endgame stuff for me to do before I go finish it. If I have it my way, I'll have beaten the game by the end of this coming weekend.

--

Apex: Still really fun. My friend and I went on a hot streak Saturday night, winning 4 games, including 3 of our last 4.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2019, 01:01:50 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfUjl4owxTQ

This doc reveals things about the development of this game I wasn't aware of, and it makes me appreciate the finished product and its realization all the more.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 04 March, 2019, 08:27:05 pm
I made it into Elite Smash once a while ago. I lost it after one battle, and it was just downhill from there. It's just not obtainable for me at this point. The people who get to 3.8+ million are absolutely bonkers. Even the spammers find ridiculously clever ways to spam at that level of skill.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 March, 2019, 11:55:01 pm
I've noticed that most of the people I lose to now (on my good characters) are to people in that 3.8 range.

Played a few matches with the LAN adapter tonight and I only really noticed lag in one of them, so that's nice. Might just be placebo, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 05 March, 2019, 11:44:37 am
i only smash with you guys and other friends everyone else is too scary oops


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 March, 2019, 11:46:35 am
would that our sessions were enough to sate my smash lust


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 March, 2019, 08:33:51 am
I've determined that I'm not actually ready for Sekiro to come out

I need that game like three months from now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 18 March, 2019, 11:11:57 am
I still haven't booted DMC5 yet, it should be illegal for those two games to release so close together.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2019, 04:46:16 pm
Played Sekiro for like two hours last night. Haven't fought a boss yet other than the prologue boss (it was a short fight).

So far I'm really enjoying how the game feels and the fact that there is a living training dummy. What I'm struggling with so far is choosing the right reaction between jumping, dodging, and parrying. Gonna feel good to get that down.

also there are some large animals in this world


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 March, 2019, 08:36:53 pm
The shinobi hunter in the first memory repeatedly made a fool out of me, but I finally took him down. Also I don't know if this memory thing is the first thing I should be doing because I still haven't fought a boss yet. Two of the prosthetic tools were here, so that seems worthwhile. Need to see where it leads me anyway.

also dragonrot seems bad but I'm gonna keep dying so I'm just not gonna worry about that for now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 24 March, 2019, 08:24:26 am
The shinobi hunter in the first memory repeatedly made a fool out of me, but I finally took him down. Also I don't know if this memory thing is the first thing I should be doing because I still haven't fought a boss yet. Two of the prosthetic tools were here, so that seems worthwhile. Need to see where it leads me anyway.

also dragonrot seems bad but I'm gonna keep dying so I'm just not gonna worry about that for now

Anyone with a spear has **** me up every time, even with the skill that lets you parry their thrust. I guess its because I'm still not deflecting mch and relying more on stealth and prosthetics and stuff.

Yeah I hate seeing the sculptor cough but so far its not destroyed my playthrough.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2019, 10:29:29 am
The shinobi hunter in the first memory repeatedly made a fool out of me, but I finally took him down. Also I don't know if this memory thing is the first thing I should be doing because I still haven't fought a boss yet. Two of the prosthetic tools were here, so that seems worthwhile. Need to see where it leads me anyway.

also dragonrot seems bad but I'm gonna keep dying so I'm just not gonna worry about that for now

Anyone with a spear has **** me up every time, even with the skill that lets you parry their thrust. I guess its because I'm still not deflecting mch and relying more on stealth and prosthetics and stuff.

Yeah I hate seeing the sculptor cough but so far its not destroyed my playthrough.
the Mikiri helped a lot, but then he would get me with the sweep. I'm still building the muscles for the rock/paper/scissors of unblockables


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2019, 02:18:11 pm
I'm wondering if I should actually update my definition of what a boss is. Maybe in this game it's just any named enemy? I just haven't had the experience of walking into an arena and having a one on one fight yet, so I dunno.

Currently bashing my head against Juzou.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 24 March, 2019, 02:39:49 pm
It seems like the consensus with this game is a boss is what gives you a memory, a miniboss is what gives you a prayer bead. Bosses also have a black ink mark over their names.

I'm wondering if I should actually update my definition of what a boss is. Maybe in this game it's just any named enemy? I just haven't had the experience of walking into an arena and having a one on one fight yet, so I dunno.

Currently bashing my head against Juzou.

I fought him a little later thankfully, I think after my first health/posture update. There's a few minibosses that absolutely demolished me though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2019, 03:30:13 pm
In that case maybe I should come back to this place later. I didn't feel like I got very far into the Outskirts at all.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 March, 2019, 11:54:42 pm
Went back to the Ashina Outskirts. Got a sample of the merchant's blood which has let me cease the coughing (for now).

Took me several tries to kill the ogre, which took me realizing that some grabs are also sweeps? I don't know how many times I tried dodging to the side before I realized that.

I had a few good attempts at the next miniboss, too, who seems like the culmination of the parrying tutorial. I'd keep going until he was dead if it wasn't so late on a work night. Once I beat him I'll have 4 beads, so that's exciting.

The good news is that after a whole weekend I haven't noticed any irregularity with the game performing on my computer.

i have somehow played seven hours without fighting a boss, though, but I think it is highly typical for me to have very slow progress when I start out on one of these games. That's how it went with Demon's Souls, Bloodborne, and now this.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 March, 2019, 07:51:25 am
There seems to be a lot fewer bosses in this than in other FromSoft games. I've only fought three so far.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2019, 08:45:47 am
That's not wholly surprising considering the emphasis on minibosses and the fact that they're tied to physical upgrades. Too early for me to say if that's disappointing. If the minibosses ever get samey or repetitive, that might be a knock. I'm pretty taken as is, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 March, 2019, 11:55:52 pm
Yoooooo so I made headway tonight.

I beat that general I was on last night on the first try tonight. He's got some solid openings to just wail on him, which is something I don't think I've been doing enough. Actually attacking. Trying to do all defense isn't going to break anyone's posture.

After that uuuuuuuuuuh the snaaaaake? Dang. That part was tense. It got me the first time, but then I almost got through unscathed the second time. I'm guessing it one shots you if you don't have a health upgrade by that point.

And then I got through the next area and made it to the first place that I was like "oh ok, so this is a boss." And it was that horse guy from one of the early trailers. And I owned him. Downed him the second try because I got sloppy on the first one, but this was one of those fights where it really pays to have read item descriptions. I knew as soon as he rode up that I just needed to abuse the firecracker and it would probably be simple. That plus I was glad I had the attack out of grapple skill. Those things seem to trivialize that fight.

After that I met the Tengu of Ashina castle, and I really didn't want to fight him so I told him I would kill some "rats." This seems to have paid off in the short term 'cause he gave me a skill scroll for doing that. Also found a free prayer bead in the attic of that place.

I probably should have stopped there, but I had to poke my head into the next area to see what was up. What was up killed me, with its giant flaming horns. So I'll have to figure out what to do about that tomorrow.

Wondering if I could take down Juzou now.

Also I'm guessing there's no reason not to use the memories for attack power upgrades? Or should I have saved that like I would a boss soul?

In conclusion: Yoooooooooo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 March, 2019, 05:42:38 am
So far I haven't encountered any reason to not use the memories.

I used the same technique on the horse boss and loved it. It was so much fun grappling into him and attacking in mid air.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2019, 01:38:41 pm
Took a few tilts at the bull on my lunch break. No progress. None of the stuff I've learned feels like it applies to this fight other than fire cracker, but that doesn't even feel very effective. Deflecting barely does posture damage and is hard to sustain. Jumping and kicking does nothing but put me in the dirt. I got it to half health just by dodging constantly and getting some swipes in, but that feels wrong.

Need to puzzle over it more tonight. I feel like I'm missing something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 March, 2019, 06:57:06 pm
Killed it. I finally realized that I wasn't doing posture damage unless I hit it in the face, so I just kept my spacing such that I could hit it with a thrust when it would stop in front of me.

And then I got a perfect mikiri counter and parry on the two dudes who rushed out afterward.

Damn this game feels good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 March, 2019, 10:18:48 pm
god I wanna read this sh(http://)it so bad


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 March, 2019, 12:16:49 am
youef you gotta get this game

ok, so

After the bull, I took a left at the bridge and wound up on another bridge that I realized was from the prologue area. I got a key to a shed that would give me the horse boss's weapon, which sounded cool, so I went ahead to investigate. That put me back in the area with the tower where Kuro was being held at the start, and who is guarding the tower? Well, a bunch of dudes, first of all, but also Yamauchi of the Seven Ashina Spears. That dude hits really hard.

I didn't like the idea of killing all those dudes just for a rematch with him, so I did some more poking around and realized what I wanted was actually in a different building entirely. So I picked that up and then went back to the very start of the game where I was originally being held, and there's some guy there talking about hearing music, and in the well itself a Lone Shadow Longswordsman. This guy exemplifies one thing I really like about this game, which is there is a small level of selective difficulty. The case here is that you can get an easy plunging deathblow on this guy to take away one of his health bars. He still took me a lot of tries mostly because managing the camera in that enclosed space is a huge drag, which made it hard to learn his moveset. But I recognized that he was jumping around and trying to be all nimble, so I used the shuriken on him and hit him with the follow up a bunch. I felt like he gave me a good pattern on the time I beat him, though.

Beyond that guy is the Abandoned Dungeon, and there's some dude right there whose got purple fire all around him. I'm not really at the point where I want to fuck with magic people, so I skirted the edge of the cave to see what was on the other side (Another great thing about this game is that you can go around a good number of people if you're sneaky). There's the guy who's having auditory hallucinations again and an old lady that wants me to jump into an abyss. I told her I'd come back later 'cause I don't want to jump down somewhere that I can't get back up from.

Mostly because I still wanted another go at that Spear guy. I had an idea.

It was a good idea. I found a path along the border of the area where I only had to kill three dudes per runback to get to the boss. And the extra good thing about this is that it put me behind him for a free deathblow to start the fight.

He still kicked my ass a whole lot because I can do Mikiri counters, but the rest of his bullshit was wrecking me. I had gone back to get the spear prosthetic, and that was kind of doing some good, but not enough really. My computer crashed at one point mid fight because it overheated??? Probably something I need to be aware of moving forward. But then when I loaded up again, I was right behind the boss, so it was like a soft reset almost. And that's when I got him. This fight taught me the valuable lesson that sometimes you can dive kick sweeps that don't have the scary symbol, namely this dude's super armor windup attack. Everything fell into place after that. Almost. I got to the end of his posture bar and almost flubbed my button inputs, which turned into me executing an Ichimonji on him to put him over the edge, followed by a completely unnecessary vault over, followed by the deathblow.

In summary, he can take his seven Ashina spears and shove them up his ass.

So that gave me another health/posture upgrade. I'm now on the doorstep of Ashina castle, which is rather imposing. But I think tomorrow I will go pay Juzou a visit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 27 March, 2019, 10:08:38 am
I got to the first miniboss last weekend, but I've had literally zero time to play. Hopefully life will clear up after this Friday.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 March, 2019, 12:27:38 am
Another solid night where I have sacrificed sleep for shinobi success.

My goal tonight was to go around picking fights to see where I could progress. I went back to the underbridge valley and followed the path to the scary guy named Headless. I have no idea how to beat him, but I'm guessing it involves snap seeds. Didn't want to waste time dying to him.

I went across the bridge over the reservoir and killed a guy swinging a bell around. That put me at another entrance to the Abandoned Dungeon. There are things that don't die in there, which is not great. Also a shady dude asked me to send him a strong samurai warrior. I had one in mind, so I traveled to the bottomless hole and talked to music boy. The options I was given did not actually make me feel good about myself, but I still sent him on his way to the Abandoned Dungeon. I don't yet know what has become of him.

Then I actually jumped into the hole, and that leads to Ashina Depths, which is poison town. There's also a guy there with a big gun that I might be able to take? But I didn't feel like trying because again there was a lot of poison.

Oh I also tried fighting the scary guy right before the bottomless hole and he killed me with Terror. No thanks.

Last name on my list was one I was looking forward to. At this point, Juzou was a piece of piss. Having extra posture and extra posture damage definitely made a difference, but fighting other dudes has better prepared me for his attacks.

That wasn't the crowning moment of the night, though. No, that would be Lady Butterfly. Fun fight. I went in there the first several times just seeing what she would do. I also knew that I had a limited number of snap seeds, so I wanted to feel pretty confident when I actually started using them. She has at least two really good openings for an Ichimonji, too, which just feels great to connect with. Crazy cutscene afterward.

I should have stopped there, but I'm dumb and decided to head up the steps into Ashina Castle. Killed the general on the steps, which confirmed my suspicions that there would be some repeat minibosses along the way.

I got bamboozled by the Nightjars twice on the same run. The guy who just explodes?? ate my resurrection, and then I couldn't get myself turned around to deflect the skydiving dude that I knew was coming. So that was frustrating, and I was merciless cutting all of them down the second time across the rooftops.

Now I'm in the upper floors except I still didn't stop there because I went back to the temple and talked to the new merchant I found who sells information, and he was selling a thing about a pagoda off the bamboo trail that I missed the first time. There was another shadow longswordsman who didn't fare nearly as well as his friend from earlier. Now I have a prosthetic that lets me go poof.

Phew. I'm gonna hit this game really hard this weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 28 March, 2019, 08:14:12 am
this week is the busiest of the quarter for me so i haven't had a chance to play much and im so JEALOUS


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 28 March, 2019, 04:39:42 pm
this week is the busiest of the quarter for me so i haven't had a chance to play much and im so JEALOUS
this. I am going deep this weekend though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 March, 2019, 08:31:07 pm
y'all are probably gonna blow past me


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 March, 2019, 11:21:44 pm
The first two phases of the Genichiro re-fight are amazing, and I feel pretty good about them, but then something happens and I'm not sure I actually want to finish this fight before I've gone and explored elsewhere.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 March, 2019, 10:48:29 am
The first two phases of the Genichiro re-fight are amazing, and I feel pretty good about them, but then something happens and I'm not sure I actually want to finish this fight before I've gone and explored elsewhere.

that was a good fight, the sword guy fights are a lot better in this game than in souls or bloodborne

I don't think it restricts your ability to explore anything if you beat him, although I had made a detour and did a certain area just about in full before fighting him that you're supposed to do after.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2019, 04:05:11 pm
Oh ok. I think in my sleep deprived state I had somehow talked myself into thinking "wait crap is this the final boss? I should go look around more" but after sleeping on it that doesn't make much sense

And yeah, leans into the kind of duel that I think is actually From's strength more so than other kinds of fights. I think it is probably the best pure sword fighting game I've ever played.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 March, 2019, 05:45:42 pm
I actually usually don't like those kind of fights in their previous games (at least not to the same degree as other people do) but they're extremely good here. I've only encountered one monster style boss and normally that would bug me but the bosses I've fought so far are good so it don't matter.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 March, 2019, 06:42:58 pm
I beat him and I actually saw the popup for the lightning counter, which is radical.

Sadly, this game might be too awesome for my PC. It's hard crashed due to overheating 4 times now, something I wish had happened within the first two hours of play. Seems like the boss fights push it over the edge, which is weird 'cause I'd feel like there's less going on there. Could be that particular vista?

I'm gonna look into some stuff, but this might expedite the upgrades I want to make to my rig.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 March, 2019, 12:41:09 am
I have ordered a multimeter to test my PSU that should arrive Sunday. Tomorrow, I'm going to venture out in search of compressed air.

My sword will not be sheathed for long, damnit.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2019, 11:33:34 am
Blasted the dust out of my machine last night and then booted up the game to see what would happen. Was able to play for about an hour and a half without issue. Prior shutdowns always happened in and around boss fights, though, and without doing one of those it's too early to make a conclusion.

I seem to have entered the "go get Lord souls" portion of the game where I'm being sent in several different directions. Talked to Kuro for a while, then Isshin (I like that aha moment), and then Emma, then Kuro again. Of all the leads I got, heading to Senpou temple seemed like the least of a pain in the ass. Before going I did stop by Blackhat Badger to buy the shield, so at least I can stand a chance going against those sniper people now. Worked out 'cause he then relocated to Mt. Kongo.

That first area there is really fun. Lots of grapple points and tall grass and dudes to mess up my new bloodsmoke ability on. I found one big sad boy who wants a flower. Found Badger who wants me to do something with the kite, but apparently killing the dude who runs the kite is not it. And I found an old lady (the same old lady?) who wants rice. There's a memorial mob nearby who sells rice, but I can't afford it yet.

Stopped at the second sculpture in the temple area.

Also I found what must be this game's illusory wall, which just links Kuro's room and the sculptor's temple. That one seems like a tutorial type thing, so I'm guessing there are others in the world that are much more hidden. I kinda want to go looking for them.

The multimeter arrived, so I'll hopefully know if there's something worse going on with my computer today.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2019, 04:06:37 pm
I love Senpou temple. Such a cool location, fighting evil kung-fu monks is the dream.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2019, 05:09:01 pm
Have confirmed that my PSU is failing. High voltage processes (like, graphics) are not getting the correct voltage, so that's forcing shutdown when it gets out of hand. At least I know what's wrong now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2019, 10:46:20 pm
In spite of all that, I continue to push my luck.

the armored knight fight is funny

Fighting up the mountain was hectic, and I have no idea how you're supposed to get around the porch of the Main Hall when there's three of those dual-blade dudes there. I just grappled around them.

I stopped upon arriving in the Hall of Illusions

I don't particularly like monkeys, but I'm hoping I can't actually die in here. I have a lot of money currently. >_>


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 April, 2019, 07:33:38 am
armored knight is my favorite mini-boss so far, made me feel all warm and nostalgic inside


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 April, 2019, 02:04:57 pm
armored knight is my favorite mini-boss so far, made me feel all warm and nostalgic inside
I was initially confused because I remembered eavesdropping on some guards who suggested I could pull armor off of someone using the spear prosthetic, but that's not this guy apparently

the actual solution is way funnier


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2019, 04:39:35 pm
New power supply has been ordered. It will be here Friday.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2019, 11:24:58 pm
I now posses the Mortal Blade, and it is rad.

I didn't even think of the monkey business as a boss fight when it pulled me in there the other day, and even when I loaded the game tonight and wasn't still in the Hall of Illusions, I didn't think anything of it. I guess the health bar should have tipped me off. Either way, I didn't realize what was happening until it told me I had acquired a new memory of a strong foe.

I feel like I got really lucky in there, as well. Only had one real scare where there were three terror monkeys chasing me at once, and they ran me straight into the invisible monkey that I didn't even know about.

Went back and chatted to Kuro about the sword, and then I remembered someone else who would probably want to know about it. Alas, I can't bring myself to kill poor Hanbei yet. What if I get a new skill I want to try?

which reminds me I need to remember to test the new ninjutsu I got from that fight


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 April, 2019, 07:18:20 am
oh shit I didn't even think to use the mortal blade on Hanbei, shiiiiiiiiiit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 April, 2019, 08:08:25 am
the exchange you have with him if you decline is really sad, so I'm gonna make sure to do it at some point


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 April, 2019, 09:35:12 am
Beat the long-armed centipede last night. Great example of a boss that beats itself if your deflects are on point.

Also found the Senpou skill tree and figured out what to do with the kite, although on the other side I'm not actually sure how to get down into the valley? I can't seem to survive that jump.

Either way, I think I'm done with Mt. Kongo for now. I warped to the serpent shrine and made my way properly into the Sunken Valley, so I guess that's what I'm doing next. Gonna make liberal use of that umbrella shield.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2019, 01:41:57 am
Only played a little bit tonight. PSU arrived so I'm not trying to tempt fate until I get that installed.

I backed out of the Sunken Valley because I had a gourd seed to exchange and I decided to head back to the Ashina Depths to see how that area felt after all this time. Killed the Snake Eyes lady there after not too much trouble. That puts me up to my Fourth Prayer Necklace.

So now I'm in the Hidden Forest, home to fog people and monkeys with guns. Stopped there after an unfortunate death to Toku-something the Glutton (misjudged a dodge on a grab). Might keep pushing into this area before I head back to the other place.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2019, 09:45:50 pm
Well if that's not a good stress test for the new PSU, I don't know what is.

I went past the mist. Tokujiro is dead (not a pretty fight, but it worked), the Mist Sage(?) was just kind of there? Then things got spookier. For being the place where all the balloons come from, Mibu Village isn't very cheerful. Once it was clear that people were coming back to life and coming out of the ground, I basically just ran around grabbing items. Got to the next idol and then ran into O'Rin of the Water. I've basically accepted that, this being my first run through this game, I'm basically going to miss most of the interactions I could be having with NPCs, so I killed her. Took me several tries but I eventually figured her out.

And then I proceeded to get bullied by the Corrupted Monk for close to an hour. I'm not sure what was throwing me off, but it was one of those fights where I was just doing everything wrong. Dodging when I should have jumped, jumping when I should have Mikiri'd, attacking when I should have been blocking. That thing just does insane posture damage if you miss a single deflect. Also the last hit of its spin to win move, I swear, is barely off rhythm, so it tripped me up almost every time.

Eventually I put a pretty clean fight together and finished it off. Firecracker helped a lot.

I've got this cave open now, but I'm gonna head back and find someone to offer these sake bottles I'm carrying around first.

I also set my graphics back to high after having dropped them to medium and as far as I can tell there weren't any issues. So that's quite nice.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 April, 2019, 10:25:05 pm
This game is a trip. Only played for an hour tonight but it was an eventful one.

I decided to do some backtracking because it bothered me that I seemed to be missing prosthetic tools. I went back to Ashina Castle and did the obvious thing I didn't do before, which was jump down from the Antechamber, so I finally found Sabimaru, which (unsurprisingly) is rad.

I went around getting people drunk, too, which is nice. I kinda worry Isshin is gonna stab me in the back somehow, but it's just a feeling. Didn't expect Emma to partake either.

Then I went back to the cave that the monk was guarding and oops that's the end of that road I should have just gone in and grabbed the stone last night. Oh well.

Back to the Sunken Valley and holy fuck the approach to the Gun Fort is a rush. I kinda brute forced the other Snake Eyes miniboss heading toward Mibu Village, but this one I actually had to learn to fight. I'm noticing a trend where the game expects you to be able to be able to beat minibosses without a free stealth deathblow the farther I progress, and I'm fine with that. The next centipede I fought was still really easy.

And lo, I found another prosthetic tool. The Divine Abduction is... hilarious? I went to use it on the big boy on Mt. Kongo 'cause that's what he wanted, but then I tested it on some of the monks and man, what a laugh.

Oh also I got the projected force skill which makes the umbrella shield awesome against the big shotgun guys. That thing carried me.

The combat in this game, man.

Also From put a swimming stealth section in this game, and it worked.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 April, 2019, 07:24:01 pm
Went back to some other places that I realized I could probably dive in.

Miyazaki straight up put a Headless underwater

mad man


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 April, 2019, 08:26:22 pm
Went back to some other places that I realized I could probably dive in.

Miyazaki straight up put a Headless underwater

mad man

i've only fought one headless and i hate it, i can't imagine doing the water one


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 April, 2019, 09:22:11 pm
Went back to some other places that I realized I could probably dive in.

Miyazaki straight up put a Headless underwater

mad man

I've only fought one headless and i hate it, i can't imagine doing the water one
apparently one of the shield upgrades trivializes the apparition enemies. I'm still missing one of the tools I need to unlock that upgrade, though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 April, 2019, 11:47:49 pm
I'm not sure I've ever been more bamboozled by a boss in a From game.

So there I was, feeling pretty good about myself for having killed the Guardian Ape on my second try. Another one of those "learn the moves, then go in and fight for real" jams, right?

"Shinobi Execution," and what an execution it was. I wonder who put that sword in big boy's neck?

Anyway, I'm fiddling with something trying to see if I can get a capture of that, and then uh

it got back up

and started drunken boxing me with that sword

and then it screamed on me and I died

I took a walk down to the other end of the poison pit to collect myself. Like I was shaken by what just happened. Got beat up by a white monkey with two blades. He'll get what's coming to him.

Came back and got to work. They really don't want you to beat this game without knowing how to deflect, huh? I can't help but feel like I'm missing some opportunities in this fight, but by playing patient and cautious (something I'm less used to doing in this game), I finally put together a good run. It took all of my healing to do it, and I was a hit away from dying, but damn if I didn't get it.

So now I've got a flower and I have all the prosthetic tools and I can't fast travel to anywhere in Ashina Castle. Gonna have to do some cleanup and then go see what's up with that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 April, 2019, 05:11:46 pm
I continue to feel uneasy about the questline with Dosaku's apprentice, and now the dude is just gone, and so is the samurai guy. I don't know where to pick up the trail for that one.

Also I remembered something and went back to where I found the red and white pinwheel now, thinking maybe Kotaro would be there or something. Instead there's an apparition of an Ashina samurai. He's a free 620 exp, but I can't figure out what else to do with him. Thought I could try the puppeteer ninjutsu on him, but it doesn't even give the option.

I did go kill the Shichiman warrior near the bottomless hole and I can confirm that the purple umbrella shield is super effective. So that's good, at least.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 April, 2019, 11:22:32 pm
figured out what to do with the kite, although on the other side I'm not actually sure how to get down into the valley? I can't seem to survive that jump.
I found out what to do here and it's probably the most metal thing that's ever been in a video game

I now have both the fresh and dried "fruit," which I believe means I've got everything I need for this ritual or whatever.

I also went and killed the first Headless using the shield, which is doable, but it's extremely resource intensive. It wouldn't have been possible without the ceremonial tanto either because I needed to refresh my emblems. And I had to resurrect twice. So it's nooooot exactly optimal, but now I have Ako on demand.

I had wondered why only the dungeon idol was available at the Castle, and it's clear now that they intend you to approach from this way (If you warp to the front gate, it's shut).

And the castle is under assault.

It seems clear that this is the end game or the beginning of it, so I'm now going to spend some time grinding I think. I want to buy more prosthetic upgrades and also fill out some of my skill trees. 'bout to make myself comfortable in Mibu Village.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 April, 2019, 11:25:33 pm
All I had time to do tonight was track down some prayer beads I missed.

And then I decided to spend twenty minutes I didn't have fighting another headless. I feel like I'm getting better at the fight. But fuck that fight. And all of them seem to have shitty terrible arenas. I killed the one in the forest that gives you the sneaking sugar, which I don't even think is that helpful. Ugh. I know where two others are, and I'm assuming there's a fifth somewhere. If I manage to kill them all before I run out of confetti it'll be a miracle, though I'm assuming I'll be able to buy the stuff at some point.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 April, 2019, 11:51:37 pm
More FromSoft jokes. They just don't end.

Actual conversation I had with a friend this afternoon:

Diego, [11.04.19 17:56]
I'm still at the second ape encounter

Random, [11.04.19 17:56]
There’s a second-

Random, [11.04.19 17:56]
whoof

Diego, [11.04.19 17:57]
Wait

Diego, [11.04.19 17:57]
Is he optional??

Random, [11.04.19 17:58]
Do you mean just when the ape comes back to life?

Diego, [11.04.19 17:58]
yes

Random, [11.04.19 17:58]
Ok

Random, [11.04.19 17:58]
I was like

Random, [11.04.19 17:58]
“dog do not tell me there are more monkeys”

Random, [11.04.19 17:58]
“I don’t think I can deal with more monkeys”

Spoilers: There are more monkeys. Although I guess it's the same one. Not sure why I couldn't stab it with the Mortal Blade the first time? Miyazaki...

Anyway. Great example of one of those fights that looks terrible at first (how could it not be when the one ape seemed bad enough?), but once I died a few times and walked into the fight willing to observe, things crystalized. First, I'm doing more damage, and the ape probably has more health. It also seems to open itself more often to stun, which helps the first phase go quickly.

Then the mate arrives and this is a whole new puzzle. Even though it seemed like they were pressing me into a corner and bludgeoning me to death, I think what was actually happening is I was letting myself get cornered. They do have a way of taking turns with each other, partly to make the fight winnable, and also probably because they don't want them clipping through each other. Not in a game like this where the hitboxes are actually so fair.

So the fight I ended up putting together still wasn't very clean because I actually won on the attempt where I was experimenting, so I once again was at low health and had no healing, but I pulled it off. For one, waiting for the headless ape to do its terror AoE is the signal for the mate to come charging in, which I punished with the charged up flame cannon (only solid use I've actually found for that attack). That plus the burn does like a quarter of her health. I ran out of spirit emblems, so I had to finish her the old fashioned way and I'm not actually sure how I did it with the other ape swinging in every now and then. But with her out of the picture, it's back to a very manageable fight.

Now I've got all the Ninjutsu.

I did a few runs through Mibu but stopped myself fairly early on, and I'm glad I did. For one, I realized I probably don't actually want all of the prosthetic upgrades. With the money I got, I was able to buy the Terror gourd (will help with future Headless fights), plus the Gouging Top and the Okinaga Flame cannon (pretty rad, probably impractical). That opens me up to buy the flame shield (I'm like, so positive this is gonna be necessary, I haven't fought a fire boss yet and there's always a fire boss). But now I'm actually short on crafting materials, so I'd say I'm safe to press onward.

I have also found what I think is a better skill point farm. I've noticed more of those white ghost enemies popping up in places (I'm guessing it has to do with the day progressing and the sun going down), and there are two Nightjars immediately before the Hidden Forest idol. You can get a free deathblow on one and then quickly finish the other one for about 1200 exp total. Takes like thirty seconds. Rest, rinse, repeat. So I guess I'm gonna do that until I get all the skills that I want.

There's an item on a ledge above the double ape fight that I don't know how to get. That's kinda the only other loose end I can think of at the moment.

Should be poised to make good progress this weekend, in any case.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 April, 2019, 08:24:09 am
yeah I thought I was gonna cry when I had to fight two apes but it only took me a few tries whereas the initial fight took me days


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2019, 07:26:23 pm
"lone" shadow my ass

I'll deal with him later

the castle has gone to hell, as expected, though it's kinda fun watching the purple dudes swoop in and wreck everyone

I've gotten a couple of idols back online and keep ducking out to buy money

gonna deal with the ogre on the ground level before I actually put effort into the Vilehand fight

also I like how Isshin and Emma are just chillin' in their tower, like nothing is happening


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2019, 11:03:31 pm
Progress progress progressssss

Beat the ogre. Super easy even without the fire weakness.

Then it turns out Vilehand isn't so vile if you go in from the other direction so you can stealth kill his stunt double. He's still a poison-y bastard, but he's no different from any of the other purple cloaks.

And then up top, well. The roof of Ashina Castle sure is a great place for rad sword fights. I'm not sure what happens if you pick the other choice. I don't know if it's a false one like the earlier one with Kuro. But of course I sided with the boy. I'm wondering if there's gonna be more to Owl's heel turn. Him just showing up and deciding he wants immortality, too, feels a bit weak.

The fight is excellent, though. So many super narrow windows to get hits in, and then lots of posturing. And I like that he doesn't use perilous attacks, so there's no way to severely punish him. It's really just like fighting an older version of yourself.

I kept trying to figure out how to punish his Lloyd's talisman move. It's a great time to heal if you need it, but he has so much lag afterward it had to be a good time to strike. First wave I could dodge it and then swipe at him for a hit, but second phase I couldn't seem to do that without getting caught in the trap. Which, at a certain point, if you aren't worried about healing, then I guess you can just hit him. I did use the firecracker on him some, but I don't feel like that's what won me the fight. I always feel like I trade damage when I use it too, which isn't great.

I was pretty surprised there were only two phases. I thought for sure he would have another trick up his sleeve. Maybe he'll still manage to show up later.

I was high off that win, so I decided to go pick some more fights, and I've now killed all the Headless that I know of. The only one I'm missing is Yashariku. Also, it turns out the water one is the easiest. It doesn't have an aura and you move really fast in the water. Go figure.

Um, what else. Oh I have the Shadow Rush now, which is nice. It's even decent in the Owl fight if you can react fast enough to him retreating. So then Isshin gave me the Mushin skill tree, which I can't unlock anything in yet.

The Anti-Air Deathblow scroll showed up in the box next to Hanbei, so I guess I missed Blackhat? I feel like I was pretty thorough around the Castle but I didn't see him anywhere.

With my affairs pretty much in order, I went ahead to the wedding cave, and a giant strawman came and carried me off to heaven. Oh that was the other thing, there was a scroll in Isshin's tower that mentioned a black sword that could open the path to hell, and I'm about to raid heaven for some mystical powers, so I can only imagine where this is going.

True Monk was a nice breather after Owl. Killed me once 'cause I got greedy. Didn't give her the chance on the next go.

The achievement popped to tell me I've been to every area in the game now, which I believe. I daresay this isn't where the journey ends, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 April, 2019, 08:59:59 am
Played a very small amount last night.

Found a miniboss I missed down at the serpent shrine. Masanaga was pretty tough since he buffs himself with Ako and I've always kinda scraped by in fights with these dudes. I realized on the third try that I could sneak around get a stealth blow on him, though, and when I actually beat him on the fourth try, I didn't take a hit.

I feel like I've hit a dead end with the Divine Child. I've given her all the persimmons I can find but she won't give me more rice. Think I might have missed something or gone somewhere too soon.

Dipped my toes into the Fountainhead Palace. First building seems navigable, but when I tried to go swimming, someone shot lightning at me from across the pond. Backed out to go buy a bulging coin purse.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 April, 2019, 10:49:29 pm
so the fountainhead palace kind of sucks, or the first part anyway

I'm up to the third idol (second really 'cause the monk one is right after the first) and I'm now playing Metal Gear Sekiro because this area basically has enforced stealth

if the Mibu Nobles see you, they inflict this game's version of curse on you, except its much worse than curse ever was. You become Enfeebled if they fill your meter, and it fills very quickly, which robs you of all but 10% of your health, cripples your movement, and prevents you from resurrecting.

This happened to me after I had mainly cleared a large area and only because I missed a single noble who saw me while I was fighting two other enemies.

And then the game stopped reading my controller. I was frustrated enough that I haven't checked to see if reopening the game would fix that particular issue, but this is gonna be pretty lame if I have to carry on to the end using mouse and keyboard.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 April, 2019, 12:05:34 am
think I've set up a bad ending (or at least one I have a bad feeling about it) but it seems like I might have a choice

(also restarting the game did fix my controller. gonna take my revenge on these mibu bastards tomorrow)


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 April, 2019, 09:25:38 pm
I guess it's time to buy that fighter's pass


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 16 April, 2019, 09:34:10 pm
yup.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 April, 2019, 11:56:27 pm
sekiro spoilers here

Floyd were you stuck on the first Owl fight or the second one? Because man, the second one is a doozy. If it wasn't so late already I'd probably press on, but I only just got to his second phase on my fourth or fifth attempt and I'm running low on analytical energy to figure out what to do about it.

I'm glad I've continued to check back on the hubs after clearing areas because I might have missed this whole second memory thing otherwise. But it bothered me that I didn't know where Emma was and Kuro's dialogue had hit a dead end. I found her, probably later than I should have, so now we're trying to make it out of all this alive.

Also I did go back and cut down every last one of those nobles in the manor, and then I went around back and killed the bull for good measure. After that idol, I went back and started talking to Emma about stuff.

The flavor text on my 8th prayer necklace actually warned me about the purple coat whose power is dogs. That was a terrible fight until I realized I could interrupt his whistle.

And then I feel like Miyazaki knows that Juzou is a wall until he isn't a wall, so he makes you fight him again except he has a poison purple coat lackey. I'm not sure how you beat that fight without kiting them out into the water like I did. They don't want to go that far, so they end up backing up a lot, and Juzou leashes first. He's still pretty manageable once you're in a one v one.

The real fight with Owl is after that, and it makes sense that he would be stronger in the past. His openings are still there, but he's so much faster, and his combos go on longer. He actually does use perilous attacks here, except I'm not sure how to get a divekick on him based on how he moves during his sweep attack. I may have to learn exactly where he goes and angle toward him rather than holding forward like usual. You can Mikiri his shadow rush, too, though the timing is a little tricky. It just takes a ton of focus to maintain the level needed to not use all my healing up in the first phase. I'll have to keep practicing that and then work on the second phase tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 April, 2019, 05:33:40 am
sekiro spoilers here

Floyd were you stuck on the first Owl fight or the second one? Because man, the second one is a doozy. If it wasn't so late already I'd probably press on, but I only just got to his second phase on my fourth or fifth attempt and I'm running low on analytical energy to figure out what to do about it.

I'm glad I've continued to check back on the hubs after clearing areas because I might have missed this whole second memory thing otherwise. But it bothered me that I didn't know where Emma was and Kuro's dialogue had hit a dead end. I found her, probably later than I should have, so now we're trying to make it out of all this alive.

Also I did go back and cut down every last one of those nobles in the manor, and then I went around back and killed the bull for good measure. After that idol, I went back and started talking to Emma about stuff.

The flavor text on my 8th prayer necklace actually warned me about the purple coat whose power is dogs. That was a terrible fight until I realized I could interrupt his whistle.

And then I feel like Miyazaki knows that Juzou is a wall until he isn't a wall, so he makes you fight him again except he has a poison purple coat lackey. I'm not sure how you beat that fight without kiting them out into the water like I did. They don't want to go that far, so they end up backing up a lot, and Juzou leashes first. He's still pretty manageable once you're in a one v one.

The real fight with Owl is after that, and it makes sense that he would be stronger in the past. His openings are still there, but he's so much faster, and his combos go on longer. He actually does use perilous attacks here, except I'm not sure how to get a divekick on him based on how he moves during his sweep attack. I may have to learn exactly where he goes and angle toward him rather than holding forward like usual. You can Mikiri his shadow rush, too, though the timing is a little tricky. It just takes a ton of focus to maintain the level needed to not use all my healing up in the first phase. I'll have to keep practicing that and then work on the second phase tomorrow.

First one. I don't intend to do the second one since I think he's only required in one ending.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 April, 2019, 11:38:09 pm
A clear head helped me get through that fight. His moveset actually becomes slightly more restricted in the second phase, so figuring out what he's going to do is a little easier. Just have to stay focused on him.

I'll be surprised, after that, if there's anything that gives me more trouble.

Pushed a little farther into the Fountainhead Palace. Sabimaru absolutely wrecks all the enemies in that area. I think I've killed the guy who was preventing me from swimming in the big area, too, so tomorrow night I'll go diving for whatever lurks down there.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 April, 2019, 11:12:19 pm
got the tears

everything is on fire now

we'll see if I can finish this tomorrow

not sure which of the lazulite prosthetics I want but I'm leaning toward shurikens. Need more fulminated mercury to get the max raven feathers first, though


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 April, 2019, 10:28:38 pm
Demon of Hatred feels like a Souls boss fight, but not like a Sekiro boss fight. I don't know that it ranks very high for me, which is a little disappointing because I feel it should. I also feel like I won by getting some good patterns, but also just by scraping by. I used all my gourd, all my pellets, most of my rice, and the divine grass that I was carrying. I'll be interested to see other strats for this fight, but I won mostly by holding down the sprint button and saving my Malcontent for the final phase.

I'm trying to get as many carp scales out of the big fish before I feed it the extra special bait as I can, but I'm not sure how long I have to wait before the servant will actually give me more. I still have 4 bait to give.

I also find myself at 3/4 prayer beads after going through the Outskirts and re-exploring Ashina Castle (again). I don't actually think I need more health at this point? It just annoys me that I've missed one... somewhere.

I stand poised at the secret passage gate, ready to go back out to that field again. I don't know if I can come back once I cross that threshold.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 April, 2019, 10:03:13 pm
Credits rolled.

It's a credit to this game that I managed to beat the final boss on my first try. He's almost overwhelming, but every lesson I had learned up to that point was in that fight. The final prayer bead I got even reminded me the deflect timing for the Ashina Cross. And you get a refresher with the second Seven Spears guy for that phase of the fight. So the only real new thing he shows you is his shockwave attack, but I also learned at some point which attacks to deflect and which attacks to dodge past.

So that's how Saint Isshin met his end.

I went with the purification ending because that felt like what I had been building toward my whole run. I definitely wanted Kuro to live and for him to be totally normal. I wasn't sure what state the whole "returning dragon's heritage" thing would leave him in, but that's probably the ending I'll do next. I don't know if there's another ending beyond those two and the basic option that kills the boy. Might look into it to see if there is.

I'm also not clear on if I can just go do the final boss fight again. I chose not to do NG+ yet, and the secret passage is still open. But I'll probably just play through the whole thing again rather than farm endings like that. It doesn't feel right to do so.

What I want to do instead is use the endgame to farm skill points and get the Shadow Fall combat art. I've already upgraded every prosthetic aside from two of the Lazulite ones (I looked it up and you only get enough Lapis for two of those per run).

Gonna let everything breathe for a bit before a second run either way. Come up with some final thoughts and such.

I'm also, barring any objections, probably going to go through and un-small text the past several pages, just for posterity. Let me know if anyone would prefer I not do that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 April, 2019, 08:34:57 am
Even better that I decided to wait on my next playthrough. They're releasing a balance patch tomorrow that adjusts some combat arts and reduces spirit emblem costs for a bunch of stuff.

https://www.sekiro.jp/news_detail_190422_01.html


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 April, 2019, 10:41:04 am
Ok, Sekiro final thoughts. Long read.

I've been feeling like this is probably my favorite first playthrough of a From game, and I've been thinking about why that is. I would say I had a similar experience with Dark Souls III where I moved through the game relatively unabated. By the time I played DSIII, I think I understood what was expected of me based on playing Demon's, DSI, and Bloodborne. Those games taught me how to approach gauntlets of enemies and challenging boss fights, where every death is a lesson and, on a smaller scale, so is every hit you take. Playing through DSII and then replaying Bloodborne and DSIII helped me refine all of that and discover a play style that's a lot more like dancing, going toe to toe with enemies of any size.

Sekiro is that style of play, but on a level that is even more engrossing to me. I already said I think it might be the best pure swordfighting game I've played so far. There's so much give and take in every battle, and there is a way to master the combat such that whether you're attacking or defending, you're always winning. Where the Souls games tend to be about avoiding an enemy until they do certain moves that you can punish, Sekiro lets you turn every action the enemy takes into an opportunity. Some attacks present a better opportunity than others, and you can pick and choose based on what you're comfortable confronting, but each enemy gives you the potential to download and dominate them. It's a feeling I think I'll miss the next time I revisit one of the previous games.

Clearly Dark Souls gives you greater variety of weapons and movesets, and that altars the design of the game on a fundamental level, but it's hard for me to imagine them not taking some of the ways that Sekiro has evolved combat forward. Even a game with a more limited weapon set like Bloodborne, if it had the interplay of Sekiro, would be exciting.

Beyond combat, it feels like From has leveled up their other disciplines as well. The movement tech allows them to do really cool stuff with level design, and the environments in this game all feel grounded in the setting but suitably unique. This game also reuses areas really well, which is sort of backtracking done right. They get the most out of their assets without making the game feel padded. Stealth also makes traversal faster and eases the pain of runbacks that would be annoying in a Souls game (though there are plenty of cases where the devs just give you a checkpoint right in front of a boss, which is also fine).

Playing a named character that speaks made me feel closer to the story, but it still felt like there was plenty of the more traditional lore and world building of a From game. The fact that enemies were often other humans that could be overheard and that spoke to you contributes a lot to this.

Anything else? The music is pretty great, both in boss fights but also environmental music. That's something From hasn't done a lot of before. It's a byproduct of the stealth design where you need something to escalate the tension when you're in and out of stealth, and it works really well. They have unique music for each area, which helps color the different enemies and the types of encounters you have (I hate Mibu Village for the battle music even if the enemies are almost completely unthreatening).

I'd say my only major issue with the game is the way prosthetics work. They can be really cool, and one article I read talked about how there's almost this Mega Man lock and key vibe where if you find the right prosthetic for a boss or enemy, suddenly it just breaks that encounter in your favor. I think the firecracker might have been too universal in this regard, but the way Sabimaru cuts through enemies in a later area of the game, or the various applications of the umbrella shield are all pretty cool. I liked the Spear a lot early on but didn't feel like it had enough applications. Shurikens are another one that's pretty universally satisfying. Flame cannon is awesome but impractical. And I think the whistle is pretty niche but you can definitely use it in more cases than you might think.

What holds all of this back is the spirit emblem system, which I don't really understand. On one hand, if you don't have trouble getting through an area and you're just killing things, you'll wind up with plenty of these in stock. There's the potential to earn back as many emblems as you use while moving through regular enemies.

But with bosses and minibosses, you might blow through all your emblems and still have more than half a fight ahead of you. I'm not sure I even realized this was happening, but it led me to not invest a lot of spirit emblems into boss encounters. Part of that had to do with how I would learn a fight, where I go in and don't do anything for the first run or so, just observing attack patterns and learning deflect timings instead. But I think I also didn't like the idea of using prosthetics to get part way through a fight only to have to finish it without them. And I also never wanted to run out. As a result, I probably underused a lot of tools. When I beat the game, I still had more than 400 emblems in storage.

I've heard about people who run out of emblems and then can't buy more because they're too expensive or they've also died enough to lose all their gold. I wind up saying to these people "ok well technically, you don't need to use prosthetics to win that fight," but it makes me wonder if it would just work better if you just respawn with full emblems? That would also make the emblem capacity upgrades more tempting (I only ever took one of those and then got another from beating a miniboss). And it would still work where you can regain emblems between idols from killing enemies. And you would never worry about burning your whole stock on one boss and having to go grind to get more.

I can't say whether that's the main reason I'm seeing a lot of people bounce off of the game, but a not insignificant number of my friends have now. I don't know whether it's the emblem thing or if they aren't letting go of certain tendencies from playing other From games or if there's something else that doesn't jive as well. Maybe there's some other underlying thing to address, though. For my part, I consider this a special game, and I can only hope others come around on it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 April, 2019, 01:24:11 pm
This is my Sekiro boss list, based on one playthrough. There will be two bosses missing (for now) because I am not a monster (for now).

1. Owl (Father)
2. Isshin, the Sword Saint
3. Great Shinobi Owl
4. Genichiro Ashina
5. Guardian Ape
6. Headless Ape
7. Divine Dragon
8. Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa
9. Lady Butterfly
10. Demon of Hatred
11. Genichiro, Way of Tomoe
12. Corrupted Monk
13. Folding Screen Monkeys

Some of these are pretty close, mind you.

I might do minibosses at some point. There are a lot of repeats there that would make that list harder, even though no two fights are exactly the same.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 May, 2019, 11:58:26 am
I'm back from a vacation in which I attended a furry convention and, whilst there, won a "For Fun" (FFA items on) Smash tournament. AMA.

New season of Destiny stuff starts next week, which is timely. I still need to beat FFIX at some point. I should just take a weekend and do that. I want to play Night in the Woods finally. Sekiro NG+ is still a thing.

Oh and I played some more Zelda while I was away. Did Eventide Isle and finished the Tarrey Town quest. I'm at the point where I kinda just need to explore the big mountain in the northeast, but I think I've paused looking over Castle Town for now. I suspect the Hylian Shield might be there, and I want it.

death stranding looks hilarious btw


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 31 May, 2019, 11:37:22 am
I'm still convinced that Death Stranding will be a gigantic dumpster fire that will make for some quality youtuber playthroughs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 May, 2019, 03:29:25 pm
i want to take a vacation i'm jealous

What was the final for the tournament? Where did you go?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 May, 2019, 04:02:19 pm
also missed you booboo


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 June, 2019, 12:38:14 am
i want to take a vacation i'm jealous

What was the final for the tournament? Where did you go?
So the tournament setup was that everyone starts 5 lives. You play a game that's all items on, random stage, 2 stocks, 5 minutes. If you win the game, you lose 0 lives. If you come in second, you lose one life. Third loses two lives, fourth loses three lives (so you can't be eliminated after a single game). If you lose all your lives, you're eliminated from the tournament, otherwise you keep playing. The guy running it had written a program that tracks all this stuff. It's pretty neat, though he said he wants to make some improvements to it. I think about 25-30 people entered.

For the finals, they upped the ante to 3 stocks, 7 minutes, and they took us to Mementos (with "Rivers in the Desert" playing). I was going against a Ganon, a Plant, and a Lucas. The Ganon was whatever. I'd lost a previous game to the guy playing Plant in sudden death on Palutena's Temple of all places. And I hadn't played the Lucas but I was kinda wary of him given that Lucas can do some whack stuff. And yet when I sat down the guy playing Lucas said he'd been watching me play and that I was scary. I tried to tell him he shouldn't be because all I had done in every game was run around shooting missiles, grabbing ATs/Pokemon, and stealing Smash Balls. I also got embiggened twice by lightning bolts, which seems extremely lucky.

Anyway it came down to me and him. There's a video of me completely failing to take his last stock cleanly. A Black Knight AT got the killing blow instead.

So yeah. I think it's a funny story, and it made me wish I could play more.

This was in the UK, by the way. I've got a decent number of friends over there.

also missed you booboo
<3


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 June, 2019, 12:39:45 am
Also I picked up Outer Wilds and played some of it tonight and so far it seems extremely my shit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 June, 2019, 09:25:27 am
Also I picked up Outer Wilds and played some of it tonight and so far it seems extremely my shit
Spent a lot of time playing this game this weekend. It's sort of like Majora's Mask meets space archeology. The star system exists on this 22-minute time loop, and you have that amount of time to blast off from your homeworld and go explore the other astronomical objects in orbit around the sun. At the end of the cycle, you wake up and start again.

The cycle can end prior to that 22-minute reset point, also. It's pretty easy to die out in space.

So far, I have died by:
- Asphyxiation
- Falling
- Crushed by sand
- Crashed my ship into the sun (Don't trust autopilot)
- Flew my ship too close to the sun and couldn't escape its gravity well)
- Crashed my ship into a volcanic moon (Seriously, don't trust autopilot)
- Landed on said volcanic moon and then upended my ship into the lava whilst attempting to leave
- Stranded myself on a comet and froze to death whilst interacting with Ghost Matter
- Stranded myself in an alien shuttle and drifted out past the heliopause

Much of the exploration is centered on finding ruins of this precursor civilization. There's a measured sadness to finding new sites and translating the runes in each one. They have this Prothean vibe where they're trying to come to grips with the hostile ecology of each planet, as well as their underlying existential crisis.

For every new piece of information you uncover, your ships log is updated, and it winds up creating this really satisfying web of clues and mysteries. I wake up at the start of each loop and have to decide which one to try and dig deeper into.

So far I've pretty thoroughly explored three planets, which leaves me with three more, not counting smaller bodies within the system. I think tonight I'll go to one of the ones I haven't been to yet and see if I can fill in more of the bigger picture.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 June, 2019, 11:23:04 am
It's sort of like Majora's Mask meets space archeology.

hey thats the best sell of a video game ive ever heard


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 June, 2019, 11:57:43 am
it is isn't it

Though I should say the verbs are different. There's no combat. You're spacewalking, platforming, flying your ship, and otherwise just learning how to traverse the system and its planets. You're equipped with a telescopic radio that can pick up various signals, a scout launcher that lets you throw cameras into caves and over the horizon, and a translator for deciphering text left behind by the precursors.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 June, 2019, 11:01:26 pm
destiny hype


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 June, 2019, 08:58:59 am
So between Destiny cross-save, Doom Eternal, and Cyberpunk, it's time for me to start thinking seriously about PC upgrades. I feel like if I target that last one, I should end up with something suitably beefy for the foreseeable future.

Mellow start to E3 otherwise. Deathloop looks neat, and I'm definitely excited to hear more about Elden Ring in the future. There was an interview with Miyazaki that went up after the reveal that ticks all the right boxes.

Not expecting a ton from Ubisoft. Interested to see what the Avengers game looks like at Square. And then Nintendo might have some fun stuff. Hopefully the next Smash character.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 10 June, 2019, 05:25:11 pm
next Smash character is confirmed to be revealed tomorrow, I'm not expecting much else from them this year as its shaping up to be an Animal Crossing show this year


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 10 June, 2019, 11:34:04 pm
Can't wait for F-Zero to be announced tomorrow. :(http://)D


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 28 June, 2019, 06:12:48 pm
Did you see the Tetris Effect run? If not, please watch the VOD.

Holy **** man.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 June, 2019, 12:44:25 pm
I did see it. I wish the game audio had been louder, but that dude was suitably nuts.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 July, 2019, 08:29:31 am
Endured a power outage yesterday that lasted from 5:30 until 1:00 a.m. In the past I would have sat in the dark and probably tried to sleep whilst feeling miserable. Instead I was annoyed, but I at least had the battery life of my Switch to while away the hours.

I've been replaying Hollow Knight, taking a somewhat different route through the game. Despite beating the Mantis Lords, I haven't been to Deepnest yet. Instead I went up to Crystal Peak as soon as I could and also made an early-ish trip to the Resting Grounds. The real coup is that I've already gone down into the Ancient Basin and fought the Broken Vessel, so I've got the Monarch Wings waaaay more quickly. They were one of the last upgrades I got in my first playthrough.

Playing on Switch has been an adjustment. It definitely takes a toll on my hands, much moreso than Zelda for whatever reason. I'm getting the hang of it, though. The Mark of Pride charm has really helped by giving me extra range, upping the room for error.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 July, 2019, 02:57:48 pm
Endured a power outage yesterday that lasted from 5:30 until 1:00 a.m. In the past I would have sat in the dark and probably tried to sleep whilst feeling miserable. Instead I was annoyed, but I at least had the battery life of my Switch to while away the hours.

sounds like a blast

I guess I should play Hollow Knight some day.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 01 July, 2019, 03:15:31 pm
You absolutely should. It's genuinely one of the best Metroidvanias I've ever played.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 July, 2019, 11:26:11 pm
You absolutely should. It's genuinely one of the best Metroidvanias I've ever played.
And yet just calling it a Metroidvania feels reductive to me, but I'm a stan so don't take my word for it.

Also man I forgot how to fight the Watcher Knights.

Found two of the DLCs while exploring also and have no idea how to progress with either one yet, which is a great feeling.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 July, 2019, 11:16:04 pm
duly noted

Its on the list but there's so many good ones I still need to play. I have a disgusting backlog of Metroidvanias.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 July, 2019, 01:03:11 am
Nail arts are still useless, Primal Aspids are still the worst, the Colosseum is still absurd, but this game is still great.

I've done two out of tree dreamers and I have the King's Brand, so now I just need to go to the Fog Canyon and the Queen's Garden to fill out the map.

Kinda not looking forward to collecting all the essence I need, but maybe my build for this run will make it easier. I'm using the charm that increases spell damage, one that increases acquire soul, and one that reduces soul cost for spells. Combined with the upgraded soul blast, it's pretty potent.


I've been pretty depressed lately, so it's nice to have a comfortable game like this to sink into.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 July, 2019, 06:17:56 pm
man the revamped Traitor Lord fight is brutal


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 July, 2019, 11:44:24 pm
White Palace done again. I thought I was going to hate the saws, but I forgot it's the spears that are the worst part.

Didn't do Path of Pain. Maybe I'll attempt it at some point. I've got the Void Heart so technically I'm in go mode for the main game, but obviously I want to run around and do stuff for the DLCs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 July, 2019, 11:35:43 pm
I actually feel bad for how easy the dream fights are if you use Fragile Strength with the fully upgraded nail. I resisted through all of them until I got frustrated with Grey Prince Zote, and then I beat him almost immediately.

now

god help me, it is time to deliver the delicate flower


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 July, 2019, 12:13:57 am
man, Nightmare King Grimm is absolutely brutal

I'm close to beating him, I think, but I can feel myself slowing down and missing a lot of timings now. Will try again tomorrow. I've changed up my charm build so that I'm actually using that one that makes your dash do damage, which is cool. Now if I can just stop taking stupid hits from the attacks that are actually easy to dodge, I can probably put him away.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 July, 2019, 10:43:55 pm
bug dracula is dead

what a good fight

Now I need to farm geo and I wanted to do it at the colliseum's third trial, but maaaan that is some next level bullshit

tempted to just put on the greed charm and farm the big husks in the City of Tears


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 July, 2019, 05:29:37 am
bug dracula is a good combination of words


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 July, 2019, 08:17:21 am
it is

except instead of showing up in a castle, he's a spooky circusmaster


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 July, 2019, 10:47:09 pm
second playthrough of Hollow Knight is complete

108% completion in 33 hours, seems legit

I went and did the first two Godmaster pantheons, but I don't know how many more I'll do. I know the final one is just every single boss with some of them suped up, and I don't know if I need to beat that to feel fulfilled. I've been feeling like going back and playing some other stuff, like I really want to get back to Outer Wilds, and I kinda want to play more Astroneer, and remember when I was playing FFIX? I never beat that and I still have the GameFAQs page open in my tab. It's been since March, I think.

hollow knight is still, so good, though

I rewatched the trailer for Silksong the other day and man I'm ready for that now. Give it to me please, Team Cherry.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 July, 2019, 01:30:13 am
it'll be too soon if I never see another god damn oblobble


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 July, 2019, 12:33:09 am
finally played some more outer wilds

got eaten


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 July, 2019, 12:30:00 am
it's done

the only frustration I encountered was at the end of the game where I finally had all the pieces of the puzzle and it just took me several attempts to actually set things in motion, but

people talk about games they wish they could wipe from their memories and experience again for the first time

this is unquestionably one of those games for me

it's really special


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 July, 2019, 11:42:33 pm
I'm playing Night in the Woods. So far there's a lot of big mood happening here.

There's a Destiny update on Tuesday, which means some more stuff to do there, but I want to kind of take my time with NitW anyway, so it should all work out. It feels like the kind of game I can just pop in and play through one day at a time.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 28 July, 2019, 11:43:37 pm
I started Night in the Woods some time ago and have been meaning to get back into it. The aesthetic is totally my jam.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 29 July, 2019, 12:29:52 pm
Night in the Woods is super good, really hits home for me since I'm in a rustbelt state myself.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 July, 2019, 09:22:13 am
Bit of an off-topic post, but I've got a mental health update for anyone who cares to read it.

https://subjunctivitis.com/2019/07/30/depression-is-a-heap/


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 July, 2019, 11:33:40 pm
Got a text message from my friend that is playing Bloodborne for the first time and it turned into a 30-minute phone call giving him advice on stats and weapons and runes and whether he should get the DLC and hinting about secrets that he's yet to uncover. Man that game is so good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 August, 2019, 11:16:52 am
https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/album/celeste-farewell-original-soundtrack

This went up today. Looks like that Celeste DLC is finally coming soon.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 05 August, 2019, 08:03:53 pm
I don't think my frail heart will be able to handle whatever insane challenge they throw at us after those B and C sides. still gonna play tho

Also those songs are really good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 August, 2019, 10:59:27 pm
I never went back to complete any of the challenges in that game. I probably should look into that as part of my free September, too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 August, 2019, 09:20:11 pm
Been back on Overwatch recently. New hero is fun.

https://youtu.be/qblXO4HlTeM

Post-rework Symmetra is also pretty gnarly.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 August, 2019, 06:01:02 pm
I'm afraid to ever go back to Overwatch because I haven't played in a very long time and if I hop in and try to use Symmetra I will be confused and worse than I usually am at Overwatch.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 August, 2019, 09:11:52 pm
A few minutes in the practice range to reacclimate would at least get you up to speed on abilities and reworks. The game itself you just kinda have to jump back in the deep end unfortunately.

I played Role Queue for the first time tonight. My friend and I both queued for tank while another friend queued for damage. We weren't in voice chat with the rest of the team, so it's definitely interesting having to play around supports you aren't talking to. We went 1-1. I still play a pretty mean Zarya if I do say so myself.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 August, 2019, 12:21:00 pm
Finished NITW last night. Still sort of taking it in, but I will say I enjoyed it overall.

I appreciate how human it is even if I don't have a particular character that I specifically identify with. I gravitated toward Gregg and Angus because I wanted to see what version of the "queer folk trying to escape an insufferable birthplace" story they told. EDIT: The overarching theme of "everyone else seems to be growing up/have grown up much faster than me and have concrete goals" speaks to me pretty strongly, though the game isn't necessarily forthcoming on answers.

Kind of wish I could have spent equal time with everyone, though, as I really liked the Bea vignettes, too. I'll see if I wind up playing again to catch the scenes I missed or if I just look them up. I think there's also some extra content that I'll probably look at this weekend.

I think next I'm going to play Eliza because I might as well continue the kick of games about mental health. After that it might be time for another run of Sekiro. I have some other stuff queued up that might also grab me, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 22 August, 2019, 06:07:03 pm
The overarching theme of "everyone else seems to be growing up/have grown up much faster than me and have concrete goals" speaks to me pretty strongly
Yaknow, I never thought about this too much but this is actually something I experienced pretty hard and still kinda do. I kinda want to try this now.

Btw are you at all interested in Borderlands 3 by any chance?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 August, 2019, 06:18:58 pm
Not really at all, no. I gather the gameplay improvements are significant (they have to be for it to have taken this long), but the humor of Borderlands outlasted its welcome when I played 2, and I can't condone giving Randy Pitchford money. I've got a lot of friends who are planning to play, though, and I don't begrudge them the experience. I'm just gonna take advantage of that three week window before Shadowkeep to play other stuff.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 August, 2019, 08:31:26 am
Played two hours of Control last night. So far it is extremely rad.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 28 August, 2019, 11:32:09 am
You playing on console or PC? Been hearing some performance problems for the former.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 28 August, 2019, 01:21:17 pm
I've been thinking of picking this up, but I might wait for a price drop. The visuals all looked very cool in the trailers I've seen.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 August, 2019, 02:52:47 pm
You playing on console or PC? Been hearing some performance problems for the former.
I got it on PC because I had heard the same. Not to say that my computer runs any new game at max settings, but it will benefit from any upgrades I make in the future, and it was running fine from what I could tell last night.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 01 September, 2019, 01:24:58 pm
NitW developer Alec Howolka committed suicide. Your thoughts on this?

I hear that nut Zoe Quinn was a catalyst in the tragedy. And good god, trying to investigate via Reddit is utter suffering. It’s an actual circus over there


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 September, 2019, 04:08:26 pm
The way you've chosen to frame this has me uncertain if you're aware of the larger outbreak of stories in the games industry this past week. To clarify the context, a number of women have come forward with allegations of abuse against some developers with profiles varying from low to high. The most reported of these are Jeremy Soule (https://kotaku.com/two-women-accuse-skyrim-composer-jeremy-soule-of-sexual-1837677315), the composer for Skyrim among other things, Holowka, and one of the guys behind the Fallen London universe.

EDIT: The first 27 minutes of this podcast have a more thorough discussion of the reporting from last week: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bjwm88/we-talk-about-this-weeks-allegations-on-todays-waypoint-radio

I think the sequence of events is that Quinn was inspired to share her story about Holowka Monday night after seeing Soule's victim post her account. Benson and the rest of Infinite Fall took a day or so to post their statement (https://twitter.com/NightInTheWoods/status/1166778462264274944?s=20), where they severed ties with Holowka. Following that, another victim came forward, someone who has been working with Holowka on a current project who said she had suffered emotional abuse from him.

Yesterday morning, his sister shared the news of his passing.

So, what are my thoughts? I've learned over the years that when stuff like this happens, I'm better off not saying much. It's more important to elevate the voices of those who have been marginalized than to add my own take to the discourse.

That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I feel hurt having just recently come to this work and coming away from it touched. It's true what Benson said, that my experiences with the game are my own, that those can't be taken away. I liked the music, though, and that was Holowka. The music is important to the game's ethos. It's hard to separate it. So the game is forever compromised.

The situation reminds me of when I finished watching Car Boys and was high on Nick Robinson right before it was revealed that he was a serial womanizer. It's a similar hurt, and in my initial response, I was quick to rush to defend the work. I was hasty to mourn what could have been if only Robinson wasn't scum, what he and McElroy might have gone onto create together. And that's the trap. That's the hole that fans fall into when then pedestal crumbles. Because when you focus on the work and what you, as a consumer have lost, you ignore and diminish the real pain felt by the victims of the abuser.

It's this false analogue to the Trolley Problem where there are two tracks. On one is an abuser and their game. On the other track are ten victims of abuse and the games they might make if they aren't chased out of the industry because they don't feel safe or supported. It's a false dilemma. You have to pull the lever every time, but most of the time it's too late. Women and victims of abuse have to be believed in order to normalize the practice of exposing their abusers.

Nick Robinson lost his job at Polygon. After the fallout had blown over, he went back to creating content, and I think he has a Patreon. He goes to E3 and GDC and other industry events. He tweets. He's still around. I don't follow him anymore. I don't know what he's done to change, or if he is someone that people should be comfortable working with. I know there are plenty of people who are not happy that he's still around.

Alec Holowka couldn't see a road back. His sister said as much. It sounds like he he himself was not healthy. I think that's probably true of most abusers, and maybe there's a caustic irony that they would benefit from resources taken up by their victims. I was watching a video the other day that talks about hyperproblems, a bunch of seemingly disparate issues that are actually interrelated in complex ways. Our society's lack of an institutionalized mental health system looms large over this.

It's all so damn complicated.

I don't think it's unreasonable to say that more should be done to support and protect victims of abuse and at the same time say that thought needs to be given to the road back for the people who perpetrate that abuse. What does rehabilitation look like for them? They can't really make things right, so what can they do? How do you convince someone who has just had all their professional and creative ties severed - deservedly so - that there's a reason to go on? I don't think anyone knows.

The solution most definitely does not involve victim blaming or victim shaming. Eileen Holowka, after saying she was walking away from everything in her statement, had to immediately post a followup statement urging people not to harass Zoe Quinn. I don't know about you, but I don't know who Zoe Quinn is without Gamergate. That's one hell of an asterisk to have attached to your name, a name that a lot of easily frenzied young men know. And now this.

It's easy to say "Well maybe they shouldn't have posted this on Twitter, maybe they should have done their whistleblowing through a different channel." What channels, though? People in their situation often don't think they have access to other platforms, and they don't feel respected or taken seriously by existing institutions. Look at what happened when allegations of harassment rose up at Naughty Dog (https://kotaku.com/former-naughty-dog-employee-says-he-was-fired-after-fil-1819557683). Like, yes, they shouldn't have posted her story on Twitter, one of the worst websites on the internet (in large part because of harassment techniques popularized by GG), but what else are their options? Keep in mind that they want to make sure this story gets heard so that other victims can feel emboldened and to prevent other people from falling victim.

I can feel myself starting to circle back around, and that's how this conversation tends to go. Endless spinning in circles while progress comes in tiny steps.

You asked me what I thought, and this is what I've been thinking about throughout the week. It makes me ask a bigger question, to what extent is the space around games healthy? I really don't know. There are a lot of problems. Would that it were just a hobby without all the qualifications, but this is what we have to deal with. I think it's well worth having the conversation and working toward a better culture.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 01 September, 2019, 06:23:25 pm
I will have to give that podcast a listen to get a better understanding and reflect on all evidence. I didn’t know about that looming controversy as I tend not to bother with social media and I was feeling a bit ambivalent toward both parties without any evidence. But, the sister coming out and setting the record straight pretty much removed most of my doubts.

Perhaps I went too far in calling her a nut, but I’m still wary partly because Quinn almost instantaneously deleted their Twitter account following the event. Maybe it’s because she wanted to take preemptive action against the inevitable target she basically painted on her back, but if she could get through GG and the storm that followed that she should be able to steel herself and weather this alongside her cohorts and individuals under similar circumstance. It just seems fairly odd to me unless I’m missing something. What I do know is that this probably could have been resolved in a better way and NEEDS to be in the future if we’re going to have any chance of establishing a medium and exacting a needed change in our overall culture.

I also have to say that Twitter is not where our moral and legal compass is set, and most importantly, it is not a true reflection of social order as some would have it. Too many of those participating in such a bubble, I find, aren't true stakeholders in the actual reality that exists beneath it so when situations like this arise, it can be difficult to gauge and invest. There really aren’t any other channels either where one can make their voice heard; which makes the future all the more concerning because of how easy it can be to manipulate the social media machine to your will. The destructive potential of crafting a half-baked accusation and immediately running someone into the ground with little to no effort if one wished is immense. It’s difficult because in no way would I defend perpetrators but I do acknowledge the fact that there is extremely little in the means of defense if one happened to be ousted, justified or otherwise, which is kinda what’s happening with the Projared situation from what I have followed. Now, this may just be an outlier or the situation could very well be justified; it’s all just shitty all around, in my opinion. I just wish there was more respect in our culture in general, to avoid these scenarios in the first place.

Still, the real consequences of what happened here need to be considered long and hard by everyone involved. More resources should absolutely be allocated to the Mental Health field though, as these mass shootings, abuse cases, and etc. very much stem from that very source and most families/portions of society actively choose to dismiss the fact.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 September, 2019, 01:14:49 pm
Scott Benson put his account up.

https://medium.com/@bombsfall/alec-2618dc1e23e

I'd kinda like this to be the last post about this in this topic for a while.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 September, 2019, 11:19:34 pm
Been playing more Control.

I can levitate now. Game is good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 September, 2019, 06:19:22 pm
Sakurai is a precious being who must be protected at all costs. We aren't worthy.


In other news, I'm finally going to play Super Metroid.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 September, 2019, 06:36:34 pm
He's truly unbelievable. The amount of work and love he pours into these games is insane. That SNK teaser nearly brought me to tears and its not his series or even his company.

i beat it this year and found it lacking honestly, its very atmospheric and has some good bosses but there's some bafflingly annoying gameplay decisions in it play demon's crest instead its better


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 September, 2019, 07:42:09 pm
Hearing him talk about hosting Toby Fox and then reading Toby's tweets about the experience is just magical.

sorry you seem to have misread what i put there, when i say i'm finally going to play super metroid what i mean is i'm going to play and beat smw for like the 8th time


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 September, 2019, 07:52:27 pm
oh thats better


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 05 September, 2019, 12:27:47 am
Don't bother with SMW, play Demon's Crest it's a game with actual backbone.

Oh and seeing SNK sprites in a smash reveal was such an amazing experience.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 September, 2019, 11:26:06 pm
Default Super Metroid controls feels horrendous on JoyCons


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 September, 2019, 11:43:15 am
felt horrendous at times on the snes controller


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 September, 2019, 08:57:43 pm
Super Metroid has begun. It really likes letting you go into one area, finding one ability, then giving you no further opportunities to progress until you leave, go find another ability, and then you can come back.

Anyway, I killed Kraid first try with 8 health left. Got the Varia Suit and now I'm in Norfair.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 September, 2019, 09:01:50 pm
Kraid always gets done dirty. He's cooler than Ridley put never shows up in games anymore.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 September, 2019, 09:06:05 pm
kraid as dlc #5


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 September, 2019, 09:10:31 pm
i wish


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 September, 2019, 11:18:05 pm
:u

fairly cruising now

picked up speed booster, spazer, ice beam, and power bombs

gonna check out the wrecked ship next


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 September, 2019, 08:49:00 am
wrecked ship is real neat, although the watery part right before it drove me insane


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 09 September, 2019, 11:05:15 am
Nightmare from Fusion for DLC Pack 2.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 September, 2019, 11:04:57 pm
well nevermind on the wrecked ship, I need grapple beam to get in there

took me a while to find that, but I backtracked through one of the earlier areas and learned some neat tricks from the animals

wall jumping is really hard for some reason
shinesparking is cool though

wound up back in Norfair and now I have the Grapple Beam and the Wave Beam, and I killed Crocomaw (I think that's his name) who was very easy

I feel like that's most of the power upgrades I can even name aside from Gravity Suit, so now it really feels like I just need to hunt down the other statue bosses.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Z911 on 09 September, 2019, 11:13:06 pm
Hah hah, your sig doesn't work anymore.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 September, 2019, 11:15:29 pm
I haven't had signatures turned on in probably 8 years, so technically no one's does.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 September, 2019, 10:43:08 pm
I'm in Maridia. The sand pits suck.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 September, 2019, 01:03:46 am
This game got much more fun once I got Space Jump, and then Screw Attack. It's nice being highly mobile and invincible.

I've killed all the bosses, so now I guess I can go beat the game. Just found the X-Ray Visor, though, so it's tempting to go try to get more pickups. But it's also tempting to just be done.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 September, 2019, 02:51:53 am
And it's done.

7 hours to beat, 71% item collection. Fun times.

I saved the animals.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 15 September, 2019, 01:24:19 pm
i don't want to know a person who doesn't save them


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 September, 2019, 11:45:03 pm
well I just played what I suspect is the coolest sequence in Control

I'd put this game down after some frustrating boss fights (and the boss fights are still Not Great), but I'm in it to win it now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 18 September, 2019, 07:16:14 am
you're a stronger man than i because honestly if the bosses are not great i struggle with beating any game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 September, 2019, 08:43:19 am
The design is just so incongruous at times. The worst offender is a recurring boss that is a large enemy that you have to aim up at to damage. At the same time, this enemy is knocking holes in the floor with attacks that have to be dodged. Falling through the floor is instant death, so your stuck having to look at the floor to see where you're going instead of at the boss that is trying to hit you.

Other fights are frustrating because of the way health works in this game. It doesn't regen over time, instead you have to grab drops from enemies to heal. So some of the other fights are against supercharged enemies, and the game spawns in rank and file dudes I guess so that you can kill them for health? You can also mind control them to make them fight for you, but that is more of a distraction than anything. It just turns these fights into chaotic slogs, though. Like there's an appeal to the combat in this game of being constantly on the move, managing the cooldowns on your gun and your energy recharge, but I wish they had gone in a more interesting route for boss design.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 September, 2019, 03:04:36 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dTIqBhUgRU

Really good video linking Sekiro to Japanese cinema.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 21 September, 2019, 12:21:44 pm
The goose game is good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 September, 2019, 10:12:10 pm
https://twitter.com/bombsfall/status/1176943553303502849

This is making the rounds on Twitter, so here's my attempt at it:

Undertale
Outer Wilds
Hollow Knight
Bloodborne
The Witcher 3
Breath of the Wild
Celeste
NieR: Automata
Mass Effect 2
INSIDE

Honorable mentions: Heat Signature, Overwatch, Destiny 2, Dark Souls, XCOM 2, Hyper Light Drifter.

I suffer from recency bias and I've got some severe blindspots, so I can hardly call this a list of the 10 "best" games, but reflecting on the past 10 years, these are the games that come to mind.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 26 September, 2019, 01:41:58 pm
the ones that jumped to mind for me were

Dark Souls
Shin Megami Tensei IV
The King of Fighters XIII
Super Mario Odyssey
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Mortal Kombat (2011)
Diablo III
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

as you can see my taste is bad and recency bias is in full


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 September, 2019, 03:39:11 pm
NieR: Automata
I didn't know you played this :u


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Maniac on 26 September, 2019, 04:04:26 pm
i could only come up with five games from the last decade that I emphatically liked (could extend to 10 if I include 6-7/10 games, but doing that feels disrespectful to those five) and all but one came out in either 2010 or 2011 so that's a good representation of how often I play new games these days


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 September, 2019, 05:22:56 pm
i could only come up with five games from the last decade that I emphatically liked (could extend to 10 if I include 6-7/10 games, but doing that feels disrespectful to those five) and all but one came out in either 2010 or 2011 so that's a good representation of how often I play new games these days
It is certainly one of those things that tells you a lot about a person's tastes. A sort of "what do you keep on your bookshelf" exercise.

NieR: Automata
I didn't know you played this :u
I did. I wasn't using this topic as much as a chronicle back then probably.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 26 September, 2019, 08:19:57 pm
Did you play the original? It's worth playing as well despite lacking the polish of Automata.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 September, 2019, 09:42:11 pm
I didn't, and I don't have a ton of interest in tracking down a copy. I should watch an LP or something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 September, 2019, 11:34:51 pm
I've completed two out of four speed objectives in UGG. Two more and I'll have 100%d the game. This third one is proving tricky, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 September, 2019, 01:35:38 pm
All to-do list items crossed off. I am now goose royalty. Honk.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 September, 2019, 09:37:08 pm
Shadowkeep tomorrow. The new menu music will sustain me until then.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 November, 2019, 04:17:36 pm
I've played about 10 hours of Death Stranding.

I'm enjoying the game. I don't know that anyone should pick it up sight unseen or without knowing what it is, which chafes strongly against my usual thinking that it is fun to not know what something is and to figure that out over the course of playing it.

I don't know that liking Metal Gear is a pre-requisite to liking this game. I think it certainly helps because you not only know what to expect when it comes to Kojima and all the caveats that come with him, but you also have an idea of the minutia that you'll have to account for when playing. This game has systems layered onto the core loop that remind me most heavily of the base management stuff from MGSV and Peacewalker.

The game is moody. It's solitary, even in interactions with other characters. It's funny, probably on purpose and not. It demands patience by punishing you for impatience. The way it treats you and the things it confronts you with are bizarre and uncanny. I haven't decided yet whether it is earnest.

Mostly, I'm struck by how gratifying the game is, and I'm torn between feeling like it wants me to feel good about that and feeling like it wants me to feel bad about it.

I'll small text some more specific thoughts and moments I've had so far:

I'm still in Episode 2 right now, having played through the Prologue and Episode 1. It still feels like I'm in a vertical slice where the game is explaining everything from the premise, the exposition, the mission types, the verbs, and other stuff that will serve me in the rest of the game. I've seen advice that it is worth getting to Episode 3 as quickly as possible because that is where the real meat of the game is. That's where it cuts loose. Part of me wants to do that, but it's just not how I play games. It's not exactly easy to do stuff quickly in this game, and I think I'm better off not stressing myself out by worrying if I'm at the fun part.

I'm already having fun anyway. In one of the reviews I watched before release, the author called this "the Gran Turismo of walking simulators." It's what he calls a stickshift video game. And I really get it. I'm hardly walking anywhere without holding both triggers on my controller to make Sam grab the straps on his backpack to maintain his balance. I press R1 every so often so that my terrain scanner will show me the easiest ground to walk on, though I'm getting better at reading the terrain without it (I think with this being the starting area, it's relatively easy to walk over regardless). If you don't do these things, you can trip on a rock and fall over. If you fall over, your backpack and packages can go flying. Packages incur damage, and when the packages get damaged, the things inside them can also get damaged. That incurs penalties to the grades you get when you complete orders.

It's a Kojima game. There are grades. There is a 5-point rubric that you're graded on and that you can level up parts of. So far I seem to do the best job at Miscellaneous, which I recently discovered will let me earn more Likes.

This is the gratification part that I mentioned above that I don't know how to feel about. You get Likes from NPCs when you deliver packages. They send you emails that are full of emojis. There's also an online component that lets you build structures and use structures built by other players. Using those structures automatically gives that player a Like. You can also manually Like the structure. Liking the structure starts a timer during which you can mash the Like button to give them multiple Likes. And of course, when other players use your structures, you get a notification saying that they Liked it. You can approach a structure and it will display how many times it has been Liked by other players.

So on the one hand, there's the sense of accomplishment you get from completing a task in a video game, for which game designers are at this point very skilled at making you feel good about. Fanfare plays, numbers go up. The map comes up and shows the exact route you took to get somewhere. I climbed up that hill, I forded that river, I didn't fall once. The contents of the package were fully intact even if the box itself was a little degraded by the Fast Forward Rain. And at the end of every journey, there's (a hologram of) an NPC giving you their thanks and calling you a legend. Feels good, Sam.

And then there are the likes that kinda betray it all and lay it bare. It reminds me of the dopamine rush of signing onto Facebook and seeing a lot of notifications after posting pictures or sharing an article. People interacted with you because of something you did. But is it meaningful interaction?

The things you do in this game might be a little better because it at least feels helpful to build a bridge or put a ladder in just the right spot that a bunch of people used. But then there's a background thought process in my head of "Hmm, where's a really good place to use a ladder that a lot of people will use?" and "This bridge is gonna get me so many likes." Later: "This dude built a bridge just slightly upriver from mine and his is getting way more traffic. Grrr."

I like the backpacking. When you set out with an order, there's a great sequence where Sam has to strain to stand up after you've loaded him down with stuff. The backpack teeters precariously whenever you take a sharp turn or step over a row of rocks. Everything you have in your inventory is a physical item on your person, from the ladders to the climbing ropes to the spare boots that you need to have. If your boots wear out, you start losing blood through your feet. It's great.

The backpack is probably one of the best sources of comedy. I've only leveled up my carrying capacity once, but I can already stack it ludicrously high. And that makes stealth extra dumb. There is tall grass in this game, and there are patrolling dudes guarding camps to sneak up on. I haven't interacted with them enough to know if having too much backpack renders the tall grass useless, but man I hope it does.

You can parry these dudes with a rope by the way. You catch their kicks or lunges and throw them off balance, then tie them up with a CQC finisher. I know you get other weapons eventually, but I kinda just want to be a rope main.

The story is more or less what you expect from the guy who wrote Metal Gear. Kojima's problem has always been the lack of editing and revision. Even when characters are saying interesting things to you, the way they say it just borders on insufferable. Someone I was listening to talk about this game said they are almost positive that he writes unnatural dialogue on purpose, likening it to Twin Peaks which I haven't seen. Maybe that's true. It doesn't ruin the game for me. It is still such a video game, too.

"Sam, you have to get the President's body to the incinerator!"

"People call me Deadman. I'm usually a coroner. I deal with dead people a lot." The next scene, meeting the character in person for the first time. "Sam, it's me. Deadman." I know, you just- you know what nevermind, that's how it is.

That's just how it is.

There are questions about how much of a blank check this game really is. Sony obviously reached out to Kojima very soon after he left Konami and agreed to fund the game. But also Sam explicitly hydrates using only Monster Energy Drink. There are five cans of Monster on the table whenever you go to your private room. You can (and should) drink them (they give you stamina boosts) with a detailed animation of Norman Reedus just downing the whole can in one. The cans are rendered exactly as they appear, including all the slogans and stuff. So ok, they cut a deal to have Monster in the private rooms. Except you also have a canteen that you can drink from out in the field, and the tooltip for this canteen makes it known that it automatically filters any water or rain it comes into contact with and turns that liquid into Monster.

I have no idea if this a bit or not. Kojima obviously loves brands. Metal Gear was full of them in various fourth-wall breaking ways. Monster doesn't seem like his cup of tea, though. So it just makes you wonder what that level of placement cost them.

I guess the last thing I should mention is the baby. You've got a baby strapped to your chest to help you see ghosts. It gets upset and stressed if you fall over or interact with ghosts too much, at which point you have to rock the baby back to a good mood (using the controller's motion sensing capabilities, if you have those enabled). This is fine. The baby is fine.

Bit more than I meant to write, but I feel like it gives a good idea where I am with this so far. Interested to see how far it goes, ready to play more.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 November, 2019, 08:28:09 am
Finally met Troy Baker's character last night and he is suitably absurd.

also found geoff keighley lol
when you do stuff for him, he starts sending you emails that in no uncertain terms just talk about how much of a genius kojima is


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 November, 2019, 03:14:41 pm
i legit did not know keighley was in the game but that is extremely funny


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 November, 2019, 11:28:47 pm
Yeah there are meant to be all sorts of cameos in the game. I met Hermen Hulst tonight (former head of Guerilla Games and new head of Sony Worldwide Studios), though he seems to have contributed only his likeness.

I have also figured out what seems to be the shortcut to becoming popular, which is not building bridges but building roads. In the new region I'm in, there are these things called auto-pavers that, when fed materials, will print out a section of highway. I set up the one right outside the distribution center, and the next delivery I made, I gained like 25 ranks off of Bridge Links alone. The pavers seem to get more expensive the farther you get from base, but I'm definitely gonna make it a project to build the whole damn thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 November, 2019, 01:11:27 am
Road building is my life now. There is no America without the road.

I guess Kojima couldn't resist adding in a little bit of the Peace Walker/MGSV minion management because I just unlocked the ability to send an automated drone on standard deliveries. It's a pair of robotic legs with a shelf on top. A logistics system to surpass Metal Gear.

I joke, but getting the roads set up just makes every other aspect of the game much faster. The sooner I have a highway over a spooky swamp, the sooner I can ignore the ghosts and get to delivering.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 November, 2019, 09:18:39 am
Latest cameo I've found is Jordan Vogt-Roberts. He's got a King Kong decal on the side of his shelter.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 November, 2019, 11:42:22 pm
Found Conan. Got an otter hood.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 27 November, 2019, 10:27:01 am
Latest cameo I've found is Jordan Vogt-Roberts. He's got a King Kong decal on the side of his shelter.

this is good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 November, 2019, 01:09:45 am
Mads Mikkelsen finally showed up but went away almost as quickly. Troy Baker's character is the main antagonist so far (he's having a lot of fun) but I wonder if Mads is the big bad or something.

I finished building the road from the north of the current map to the south, and driving a truck all the way from one end to the other is a delight. Time to start building west, but I have a new enterprise in the meantime: zip lines. You can build anchors up to 300 meters apart so long as they have line of sight, and the idea of having a fully functional network with like a central spoke is just so tantalizing. I mean, what else is that enormous mountain in the middle of the map for? By their nature, they won't be as socially lucrative as building roads, but I'm actually somewhat softcapped on Bridge Links anyway. And even still, some players might find them useful. I certainly mean to.


Also most recent cameo now is the Famitsu guy that created a minor (or major, idk?) fuss in Japan over ratings and stuff. He is "the Collector" and most of his orders are related to video and board games. His emails are about how the internet killed magazines and ruined the world or something.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 December, 2019, 10:40:32 pm
Level 1 ziplines in this game have a maximum range of 300 meters. That's how far you can place two anchors apart and have them still connect. You can upgrade this distance, but upgrading structures requires bringing materials to them, which is a bit of a hassle. Anchors also require uninterrupted line of sight, and they can't be built on slopes or very uneven ground.

This presents a challenge when trying to build zipline anchors on the side of a mountain because mountains in this game are really naturally formed. They don't have just have convenient outcroppings spaced 300 meters apart that say "build an anchor here." Instead, they have all sorts of ridges that jut out and block your view from one anchor to the next. So you wind up having to build up or down the slope, or even laterally in order to find a spot that will work.

I spent about an hour tonight trying to find just the right spot to connect two ends of a chain of anchors that I had been building that link one destination to another. The real challenge was getting around the corner of the range only to then realize that the link I wanted to connect to was cut off by a cliff. So I had to first climb down to build an anchor at a lower point that would round the corner, and then climb up a pretty sheer rockface to find a spot that had line of sight from that anchor to the one up on the cliff.

I wasn't as prepared for climbing as I ought to have been. Using the terrain scanner, you can see yellow areas that Sam can climb up and red areas that he cannot. If you accidentally step out onto one of the red areas, he'll start sliding downward, or worse. I slid too far at one point and ended up about 50 meters down the mountain, bruised up and having lost a piece of cargo (turns out if a box becomes detached from your backpack while you're on a mountain, it starts bouncing much faster than you can hope to catch it).

I was eventually able to climb back up and find the exact spot that connected the lines together.

I love this game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 January, 2020, 09:12:16 am
Been a minute since I posted in here.

I'm in the process of writing up some takeaways from every game I played in 2019, which is only like 20 games? But I was having trouble concentrating over my break and kinda just let myself relax as the days went by. I want to get that written up while it's still in the window of time that it would be interesting to post, so hopefully I can knuckle down on it in the next few days.

Some quick hits:

I was prioritizing Death Stranding over most of my holiday, but I'm now at a point where I worry the end of the game could be coming soon, and I have heard that involves two hours of cutscenes, so I've been in situations lately where I didn't want to risk playing for fear of being kept up too late or something. If I can finish it this weekend, that would be cool.

I went back and finished Control. Turns out I stopped very close to the end, and also, that game just kinda ends. Interested to see where the story goes with the DLC.

I've been playing a lot of Shovel Knight over the past week. I had it on PC since forever ago, but I finally did what I should have done ages ago and grabbed the Treasure Trove on Switch. It is one of those games that is ideally suited for that platform. I beat Shovel of Hope, which was fun. Then I did Plague of Shadows, which I really wanted to like. The characters and story are fun in that one, but the gameplay had me pulling my hair out a few too many times after throwing myself into pits. Specter of Torment is already way more fun from a gameplay perspective (scythe-grinding!), and the story is also neat, but I kinda miss the SMB3-style world map.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 02 January, 2020, 03:59:12 pm
which is only like 20 games
that is like 2x the number of games I played this year lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 January, 2020, 05:39:44 pm
I haven't played Shovel Knight since it came out, should probably get the Switch version. I really adored it when I played. My friend has told me the King Knight mode is apparently awesome.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 January, 2020, 10:34:16 pm
which is only like 20 games
that is like 2x the number of games I played this year lol
it is every game and some of them I didn't play for very long

I haven't played Shovel Knight since it came out, should probably get the Switch version. I really adored it when I played. My friend has told me the King Knight mode is apparently awesome.
I've also heard good things about King Knight. Should be able to get into it some this weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 January, 2020, 12:08:01 pm
Beat Specter Knight. Toughest Enchantress fight of any of the campaigns I've played yet, but I'll chalk it up to me being bad. If you play this one, don't do what I did: Just get the Rail Mail as soon as possible. It makes everything more fun.

I've played three levels of King Knight so far and it's already wonderful, and I haven't even gotten to play the card game yet.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 January, 2020, 01:48:40 am
The computers cheat at this effing card game. I'm a pauper because I keep having to buy my cards back after they're taken. Finally managed to beat that blasted Trouple Acolyte after a dozen games.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2020, 08:38:25 am
I have beaten the strand game.

I really enjoyed playing the game. I logged 103 hours and something like 250 deliveries. Final Porter rank of 299, "Skilled Deliverer."

I feel, as of now, basically indifferent to the story. This is one of Kojima's most indulgent games, for better and for worse. I'm struck, thinking back over it, by how none of the Americas depicted in the game actually exist. I wonder what, beyond a childhood influenced by soft power, keeps drawing Kojima back to this country for his stories.

So that's that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 January, 2020, 01:31:05 pm
escape from new york is a hell of a drug


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 06 January, 2020, 09:11:11 pm
I truly believe that Kojima is basically a reverse weeaboo.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 January, 2020, 08:56:37 am
Turns out the way to consistently win at Joustus is to cheat. The game lets you buy cheat cards from Chester that let you do things like play all the cards in your hand at once or change your opponent's hand to all bad cards. And these are inexpensive enough that I can always have the ability to cheat. I don't know if the game is explicitly balanced around this. On the one hand, I could definitely just be bad at it or have terrible luck of the draw, but on the other hand there are Joustus bosses that also have power moves.

Also engaging with the card game is entirely optional anyway.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 January, 2020, 08:10:43 am
I truly believe that Kojima is basically a reverse weeaboo.

pretty much, same with the jojo guy

Turns out the way to consistently win at Joustus is to cheat. The game lets you buy cheat cards from Chester that let you do things like play all the cards in your hand at once or change your opponent's hand to all bad cards. And these are inexpensive enough that I can always have the ability to cheat. I don't know if the game is explicitly balanced around this. On the one hand, I could definitely just be bad at it or have terrible luck of the draw, but on the other hand there are Joustus bosses that also have power moves.

Also engaging with the card game is entirely optional anyway.

if/when i play it the card game is the game for me i love weird dumb video game card game sidequests

release a full triple triad game you cowards square


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 January, 2020, 08:28:50 am
yeah they tend to pull me in, too

though Tetra Master was not great

Now Gwent, on the other hand...


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 January, 2020, 12:37:51 pm
yeah tetra master was a bummer, real disappointing after how good triple triad was


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 January, 2020, 11:36:50 pm
Ok, I feel like I really leveled up my Joustus game at the end there. Beat the final in-game Joustus boss in a gem sweep without using any cheats. Then also beat three of the challenge matches, which are balanced (same decks) and cheats aren't available.

Also I finished the campaign, which means I've beaten all of the campaigns. These games are all really good. I can't imagine how great it would have been to have been playing them all throughout the years, but devouring them in the span of like three weeks is pretty nice, too. Each character also has a series of challenges, which I might dip into, but I don't know if I'll linger too long. Might be time for something else.

I think if I haaaad to rank them it'd go

1. King of Cards
2. Specter of Torment
3. Plague of Shadows
4. Shovel of Hope

Almost as though they got better as they went along. Plague and Shovel are honestly interchangeable, though. I like the story of Plague better, but if I was better at the gameplay in that one it would be a more solid ranking. Shovel Knight feels great as a baseline, of course. It seemed like their imagination really ran wild once they got away from the Ducktales pogo stuff, though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 January, 2020, 10:31:40 pm
challenge mode Mr. Hat can go to hell


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 January, 2020, 09:07:27 am
Was playing Breath of the Wild over the weekend. I'm working on the DLC stuff, so I went back to the plateau and did the One-Hit Obliterator trials, which were interesting. Then I ventured over to the desert because it was the closest and went through the trials of Urbosa. The extra shrines aren't anything more exciting than the others, but the re-fight with Thunderblight was fun (he kicked my ass the first time). And reducing the cooldown on each champion's special abilities is a pretty nice reward.

Not exactly sure where I want to go next, but I'm leaning toward doing the trials of Revali so I have an excuse to explore the northwestern mountain range finally. Got a little sidetracked hunting down some of the costumes they added. I wish they would let you upgrade those. I'd totally rock the Phantom Ganon outfit all the time if it had more defense.

Also I have I think 105 of the base-game shrines completed. I'm at the point where I probably ought to turn the Shrine-tracker back on, but I'm going to wait until I've gone around Hebra before I do that.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 14 January, 2020, 04:57:16 pm
I never touched the DLC for that game weirdly enough. The bike seemed cool but I unno, nothing jumped out as "oh I need to grab that."


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 January, 2020, 11:15:43 pm
Yeah I don't know if it adds much to what already feels like it was a complete experience, but as someone who has been looking for any reason not to beat the game, it's nice to have extra reasons to hang around places. Plus, costumes are fun.

I can't understate how much I love the environments in this game. I've spent much of the past two nights trudging around the Tabantha snowfields and skirting the base of the Hebra mountains. I'm taking a spiral approach to my ascent, trying to explore as much of the bottom of the mountain as I can before moving upward. It also feels really nice actually having adequate snowgear. Whenever I was in the Lanayru mountains or the Gerudo Highlands, I hadn't been to Rito village yet, so I was relying on fire weapons and minimal warm clothing to help me survive. Now I'm more free to explore without haste and without worrying about taking hits from enemies. I can enjoy the whiteout, the wind, the crunch of the snow. It's great.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2020, 08:18:48 am
in the future, Sakurai will reveal that all of us were, in fact, Fire Emblem characters, all along


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2020, 09:15:56 am
I feel like I have to have gotten every Shrine in the Hebra region after last night. I was exceedingly thorough in my trek over and around the mountains, and by the end I came back to Rito Village with 13 spirit orbs. I'm now 3 hearts away from having two complete rows. However I think I'm sitting at something like 114 shrines. So if there are only 120 shrines, then that would leave me one heart short. Unless there's a heart container out there that I haven't gotten.

In any case, I have Revali's Gale+, and my next stop on the Champion's Ballad trail will be Death Mountain. But before that, I'm going to make a stop in Central Hyrule. There are a number of costumes hidden there, but more importantly, I've decided to make a stop in Hyrule Castle. There are several side quests that I've had since the very beginning of the game that point me in there, and I also know that the Hylian Shield is in there somewhere. And the last memory also appears to be on the ramparts. So there are a number of things that I would like to have and use throughout the remainder of my journey that are in there. Waiting to enter the Castle until I'm ready to defeat Ganon would be an act of self-deprivation.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 January, 2020, 04:58:26 pm
in the future, Sakurai will reveal that all of us were, in fact, Fire Emblem characters, all along

i legit laughed when i saw who it was, his fuckin face when he revealed the poster, he knew what he was doing

edelgard byleth alt is really good oops im gonna use this character and FINALLY a different down b, no more counters please


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2020, 05:24:59 pm
Yeah there was no question. I expected it from the moment the announcement went up with that image.

But watching the gameplay, I couldn't help but think "Y'know, it least it's a different moveset, and they even have a tether recovery. Maybe they'll be fun to play."

Plus with how much people are into FE3H, the internet can't actually be as mad as it seems to be.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 16 January, 2020, 06:13:19 pm
you would think the confirmation of six more characters would be enough but hey people gonna be mad

also CUPHEADCUPHEADCUPHEADCUPHEAD


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2020, 07:37:40 pm
Six more characters and two more years of patches, presumably. Granted it would really be nice to hear about some improvements to Nintendo's online infrastructure, but Sakurai has a finite amount of miracles he can be responsible for.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 January, 2020, 09:23:05 am
Having stepped onto the grounds of Hyrule Castle for the first time, I feel entirely justified in waiting to complete this area last. It's excellent. It's an actual dungeon. The music, the layout, it all nearly sucked me in. But I was there for a reason, and having accomplished that, I left. I got the Shield, I got some Royal Guard weapons, and I found the shrine down by the docks. I didn't find the recipe book, but I also didn't make it to the kitchen. I don't know why I'm particularly excited by the thought that I could ride a horse all the way up to the keep, like Gandalf ascending Minas Tirith on Shadowfax.

I look forward to returning. Before I do, I'm gonna need a better strategy for the flying guardians.

I now sit at 118 shrines (I miscounted yesterday, which means there's only 1 more heart I can obtain from Spirit Orbs). My Shrine Sensor is on, and I'll be running around Goron and Zora territory again. After that I guess I'll look for empty spots on the map and have a wander.

My armor sets are all in pretty decent shape. I need more dragon materials for the champion's tunic (though I don't know if I'll wear it). Need plenty more Lynel parts. And then after all that, I'll go take on the final trial for the Master Sword.

Then it will be time.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 17 January, 2020, 03:46:59 pm
youre making me want to play this game again


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 January, 2020, 07:29:05 pm
Y'know I wish it was easier to do that. In a world where I could just make a new file instead of a new profile, I don't know that it would have taken me so long to finish the game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 January, 2020, 01:33:00 pm
I had to go back to the castle. Found a rumor about a Royal Guard costume and decided I needed it. I also realized I had forgotten to find the final memory, and I'm glad I did that. Also glad I found the King's Journal because it pretty heavily re-contextualizes that scene.

Before that, I did the Trials of Rudania. Death Mountain is a huge area that feels small, relative to the rest of the game, because of how much lava there is. I am growing concerned about my chances to actually find these last two shrines without first breaking down and just looking them up. We'll see, though. We'll see.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 19 January, 2020, 08:49:58 am
Y'know I wish it was easier to do that. In a world where I could just make a new file instead of a new profile, I don't know that it would have taken me so long to finish the game.

yeah this is a big factor and its still something that strikes me as odd about the game


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 January, 2020, 11:52:08 am
I finished all the Champion Trials, and now I have been called back to the Shrine of Resurrection for something. But I haven't gone yet.

I found the second to last shrine. It was one very close to Kakariko Village that I hadn't done somehow.

Now I am in a situation where I've found 119 out of 120 shrines all by myself. And this map is so big.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 January, 2020, 09:03:37 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMB0DgzwRIA&feature=youtu.be

He wiped the floor with me for like twenty minutes, but then I made something happen.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 19 January, 2020, 09:17:37 pm
proud of you


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 January, 2020, 11:23:04 pm
now I am the bloody crow


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 January, 2020, 08:32:23 am
Have decided that if I don't find the last shrine by the end of tomorrow night, I will look it up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 January, 2020, 11:50:08 pm
it was in a cave, behind a bombable wall, halfway up a cliff

brb, mad forever


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 January, 2020, 01:54:22 pm
I did the final Trial of the Sword last night. Challenging, but fun to figure out.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 January, 2020, 10:50:05 am
I have finished Breath of the Wild.

I returned to my house to sleep and prepare, waking up as night fell. I took each of the champion's weapons from their display spots on my walls, and then left summoning my bicycle. No one was out and about in Hateno Village as I left. I had spoken to Bolson the morning before, him and Karson having just returned from Tarrey Town. Bolson told me he intended to retire and look for a spouse. Good for him. He's earned it, the legend.

I rode through the night, all the way out of Necluda by way of the Dueling Peaks, just as I had come through so long before at the start of my journey. The sun was rising as I pulled into the Riverside stable to refuel and change into my Ancient Armor.

There were stalkers out in Hyrule Field, but with the Master Cycle Zero, I left all of them behind, easily dodging their beams. I had to get off the bike at the ruins of Castle Town to clear away corruption and a couple of stalkers in the main square. Then I brought the bike out again and approached the gates of the castle. The flying guardians have posed a problem in past encounters, but I came prepared this time. Using Revali's Gale, I took air superiority from each of them and put an Ancient Arrow into their weak point. I cut my way up the castle road, through the gatehouses and their lynel gatekeepers, stopping only to top off my bike on the backside of the castle. Two turrets and a flyer blocked the Sanctum, each done in by an arrow and a few shield reflects. Then it was time. I donned the armor of the Wild, equipped the Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and Great Eagle Bow, and entered the throne room.

The battle against the Calamity didn't have many surprises. I buffed myself for defense rather than attack power because I didn't want it to be over too quickly, not after the Divine Beasts sliced the monster's health in half. I made sure to use each of the Champion's weapons at least once (though I'd broken the Scimitar of the Seven on one of the lynels on the ride up). I only missed one shield reflect in the fight.

I wonder if I could have chosen my horse somehow for the final battle? It seemed to me that it pulled the first horse from the five I had registered, which was one I probably haven't ridden since the first week I played the game. Either way, it was over fast. It's a shame that the Bow of Light isn't available sooner. I would have loved a quest to find that, or maybe it could have been hidden in the Castle somewhere as a bonus.

I like the ending a lot, both with the spirits passing on and with Zelda and Link continuing. The work is not yet done, after all.


I have some ideas for what to play next, and I think I want to focus on some shorter games for the time being (My Switch says I put 190 hours into BotW, though I don't know how much of that is just standing around). I've got A Short Hike and Sayonara Wild Hearts ready to go, so those feel like something I could knock out pretty easily. We'll see what else comes up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 27 January, 2020, 11:04:52 am
Sayonara Wild Hearts will take you like an hour to beat lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 January, 2020, 01:03:17 pm
hence shorter games, youef


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 27 January, 2020, 08:42:02 pm
I got that.

In any case, it’s a lovely game with a really nice soundtrack. Highly recommended.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 January, 2020, 08:56:39 am
Started up two games last night.

The first one was Islanders, which is a super chill minimalist city builder. It starts you on a procedurally generated island and gives you a choice of two packs of buildings. Each building is worth a certain amount of points, but you can get more points if you place it in proximity to other buildings or natural features of the island. For example, a lumberjack cabin might be worth 2 points, but it's worth 1 additional point for every tree in its radius, and it's worth another 5 points if you put it near a sawmill.

The game is run based, so you start on a small island, and you place buildings, trying to reach different point thresholds in order to earn more buildings (the game always gives you a choice of two packs and then plops another half dozen buildings in your inventory). But there's also a larger threshold that lets you move on to another island. You don't get to come back to the one you're working on, you're always moving forward, starting from scratch with each one. You keep your score, though, and there's a leaderboard. Eventually, you would come to a point where you can neither meet the threshold for new buildings nor a new island, at which point your run will be over.

I made it to my fourth island, which is probably 5 times the size of the first one I started on and paused there to pick back up later, maybe tonight. The game started giving me more advanced structures on my last island that show I need to be able to predict and plan my cities somewhat. One of the buildings it gave me was a Temple, which starts with a score of -75. It gets major bonuses for being placed next to certain things, but I hadn't left any room around them by the time the temple was unlocked. It makes me wonder if I could make that work on the new island or in another run.


The other game I've started is one that everyone is talking about now that it has finally concluded, and that's Kentucky Route Zero. It's a magical realist adventure game. Point-and-click, heavily text based. I was pretty immediately drawn in by the writing. The game is split into 5 acts, and I don't know if I'll play them straight through. Will depend maybe on how long each one is.


And yeah I tried Byleth out very briefly. Side-B feels really strong, the bow shot will take some getting used to, and man it's just so nice to have that tether recovery for a FE character.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 January, 2020, 09:18:16 am
I meant to play more KRZ last night but it wasn't in the cards.

First I ran through Classic mode with Byleth. The Master Hand fight with all the other FE characters is funny. I played through Terry and Banjo's routes, too. Smash is fun.

And then I moved over to Islanders, intending to play for half an hour or so. Wound up playing for three hours.

The fourth island it put me on was the largest I'd yet seen, and it was interesting because it actually started me off by making me place the statues. Every island has one of these, and all buildings benefit from being close to them, and here the game gave me three and a big map to scatter them on. I don't think I had very good placements. I also learned a very valuable lesson about gold veins. Namely, if the game gives you a gold mine, it also gives you a Jeweler, but the Jeweler will only be profitable if it's in close proximity to enough mansions. I'd built all of my residences on the opposite side of the map of the island's gold vein, so there was almost no way for me to gain points off the Jeweler. It almost cost me my run, too, but I was able to eke by and get to the next island.

The fifth island went much better thanks to the knowledge I gained on the previous one. It was a snow-covered island, smaller than the last, again with a single gold vein. Immediately, I started building up the city around that vein, planning for the eventuality of a gold mine. Luxury goods aren't the only incentive the game gives you for building social stratification into the neighborhood. The circus is a potential high-yield  structure when placed in proximity to common houses, but it loses points if it is placed near mansions. It seems like one of the best rules is to put the City Center building in the middle and then build mansions and houses out from it in opposite directions. I got a very good Temple and Market build on that map, too. Eventually I ran out of room where the primary city was and had to expand into the mountains. The game also kept giving me lumberjacks, which I just tossed out into the only section of the island that had trees. The problem being that lumberjacks are penalized for being in close proximity to one another, so I ran out of space for them quickly (I've since learned from a bit of reading that the lumber industry is a trap that doesn't scale at all, so I should avoid choosing that pack at all costs).

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/792006440554634555/A13C13D304588B33411C10E91F7BCA542C296309/)
I've decided to try and name cities moving forward. The one for this snowy Island is called Grindelville. It's primarily a mining town with fishing and masonry as secondary economic vectors. In the temple, they worship gold and pray for warmth. When the city ran out of space, some people fled to the mountains seeking independence, but they're forced instead to rely on the town below for survival. A grim circus has set up at the base of the cliffs. On the other side of the island, there are the Tree People. The Grindelvilleins mostly avoid the woods, an abandoned plateau the only sign of a failed expansion.

We'll see what's in store on the sixth island.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 30 January, 2020, 05:09:10 pm
we should play some smash soon


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 January, 2020, 08:53:41 pm
we should play some smash soon
It goes without saying.


(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/792006571122870388/9710EAE33773930CD6A9B13DF63D8157FA1ED5A8/)

This is Three Towers-by-the-Sea. Primary exports are ale and seaweed products, but gold deposits were discovered after settlement. A moneyed elite in control of hop production lives in a walled enclave beyond Mount Marte while beer is made readily available to circus-goers and worshipers of the Sun. On the Northwest plains, the isle has established a national park to conserve trees. It's a tourist destination for the natural beauty of the surface as well as a web of caves stretching underground. In the western reaches, an agrarian people answer to the Shaman of the Saw who credits the Monument for their fertile fields and tall forests.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 February, 2020, 01:17:26 pm
I finally played through the campaign for Titanfall 2 over the weekend. I've owned that game forever and knew it was only like a 5-hour commitment, but it still has taken me a while.

It's really fun. The game just has such a strong base with its movement systems. Sliding, wall-running, double jumping all feel great to pull off. Add the guns on top of that, and all of those feel snappy and consistent (which I knew from Apex). It's the combination of those things that make the game. Like a CoD campaign will have set pieces and some different things to do over the course of each mission, but the movement in Titanfall clearly lets the devs have so much fun. That's why they put together missions like Into the Abyss, Effect and Cause, and Trial by Fire that work as well as they do.

Oh and then there's very good mech combat in this game, too, that you transition into and out of seamlessly with the push of a button. So you've got the three Ms. Movement. Munitions. Mechs. It's great. This game has boss fights! And neat characters. The writing and plot aren't groundbreaking, but it's a cool universe and it nails the execution.

It's a real shame that EA left this game to die. Makes me want to get back into Apex.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 03 February, 2020, 06:27:23 pm
heard nothing but good things about that game

I didn't know there were bosses oops now I feel compelled to try it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 February, 2020, 11:51:42 pm
Yeah man. They're not like Dark Souls fights, mind. It's you versus a beefier enemy mech, and maybe they have some lackey mechs supporting, and the character is just talking trash at you the whole time (and throughout the level leading up to the fight), but it's good fun. If you can grab the game for cheap (they typically give it away during any kind of sale), I think it's worth a jaunt.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 February, 2020, 02:11:21 pm
I'm struck, thinking back over it, by how none of the Americas depicted in the game actually exist.
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/02/death-stranding-and-america.html

Good piece that talks about this.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 February, 2020, 12:52:27 pm
Failed to mention it in here, but last week I played through Manifold Garden. It's a first-person puzzle game in the vein of Antichamber or Portal where you're exploring a fractaline space. You can at any moment change the orientation of gravity, and if you walk off the edge of a platform, you will fall until you land back on the same platform. There's other puzzle mechanics that are introduced over the course of the game.

The objective is to find seven seeds and then plant them in order to, I guess, grow the garden. There's a weird rot or corruption that shows up in certain places, and solving puzzles dispels that. The game is pretty linear, though there were hints of secrets that I was not very good at following up on. One room I saw but couldn't figure out how to get into. Another room I found accidentally but then wandered out of it and couldn't figure out how to get back.

Pretty cool experience overall, but I don't think it's one I'll be thinking about in the long run. Sometimes it's just cool to do wacky stuff with physics. Also it had surprisingly good sound design for a game in that style.


I didn't really play much over the weekend. Spent a lot of time kinda zoning out, honestly. I'm still trying to write up a blog post on all the games I played in 2019, and I did make some more progress on that.

Also, after Floyd and I emerged bloodied from Yahar'gul, I went back in and ran through Nightmare Frontier by myself the next night. I figure we were probably going to skip over it at this point, and I wanted to confirm there's not really anything worth having there. It's definitely a breeze at this point in the game, and you can tell you're meant to go there sooner based on all the lower-level upgrade materials you get. There are a bunch of decent defensive runes, but other than that, it's a justified time-save to not bother.

I had a satisfying kill on Amygdala, though. Got through the fight almost unscathed, and when the boss was low enough health, I shot it several times in the head to stagger it and then finished with a visceral.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 February, 2020, 05:11:59 pm
i greatly appreciate you confirming nightmare frontier is not worth doing honestly


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 February, 2020, 11:26:19 pm
The fewer Winter Lanterns we have to face, the better.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 February, 2020, 09:08:10 am
A friend and I played a couple rounds of Apex Legends last night, intending to just dip back in, get our sea legs back, and learn some of the new map. Instead we ended up winning two out of three games we played. I unlocked Wattson using the in-game currency I never used to get Caustic, and I had fun with her? She's a less-aggressive, more static hero that kinda fits with how I play a lot of the time, but I'll have to learn more about how to place her walls, as well as get faster at doing them.

Winning was unexpected. I felt like I was flailing at several points, but we also had some good luck with third parties and just not running into too many people until the late game. Wattson is particularly strong at that point because her ult lets you fortify a location and avoid grenades and bombardments.

Maybe our MMR was just generous. Either way. Apex. It's a good game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 February, 2020, 01:05:57 pm
was reading through some of the posts from my Dark Souls playthrough, on a whim

man I have come a long way since I picked up those games in 2014

I can't believe I got a Black Knight Halberd to drop and never used it


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 12 February, 2020, 08:42:30 pm
I'm pretty sure I got a Black Knight Sword drop on my first run. Good memories.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 February, 2020, 11:02:37 pm
I had one of those, too, by the end. It's what I used to kill Kalameet. I just did a ton of grinding clearly, the kind of stuff I'd never bother with now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 February, 2020, 10:09:01 am
Finished Act II of KRZ last night. I want to sit down and play each of the last three acts straight through rather than awkwardly subdividing them as I have the first ones. Game continues to be good.

On recommendation from a friend, I booted up Rime last night after noticing that it was in my PS Plus library. This game really wants to be Studio Japan meets Studio Ghibli, with a little bit of Journey sprinkled in. It's got the slightly jank controls of the former and the scale combined with gorgeous music of the latter, though some of the visuals are a little inconsistent. The boy's facial expressions just don't exactly measure up to the emotions it's trying to convey.

The game is also surprisingly choppy, which is unfortunate. It's odd where it happens, too. Like I might expect the framerate to dip when I'm climbing up a big set piece windmill thing, but instead it just tanks when I'm running down a hallway without much going on.

I think I'm about halfway through, so I'll probably wrap that up tonight or this weekend.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 March, 2020, 08:35:20 am
I've been playing a lot of Apex in the past couple of weeks, but I did find time to finish Rime. I appreciate how personal the game feels, though the music I think does a lot of the emotional work. Glad to have played it, but also glad I didn't pay for it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 March, 2020, 08:21:46 am
Played through Donut County this weekend. I was neither terribly impressed nor amused. The puzzle solving is rudimentary, the music gets obnoxious quickly, and it seems like they ran out of jokes for the Trashopedia entries early on. Also pretty frustrating when there's only one thing left on the screen, but it's awkwardly proportioned and keeps popping out of the hole.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2020, 08:20:33 am
How's Blasphemous been? I've seen it pop up when you're playing it on Switch and it looks neat.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2020, 09:48:24 am
I beat it last night, actually.

It's good. The art is pretty amazing, and the combat feels nice and weighty. The Penitent One's dodge move is probably the best feeling thing in the game, especially when you find stuff that lets you improve it. And the sword feels nice and slice-y (compared with the thwack-iness of Hollow Knight), especially after parrying.

The sword needs to be good because Prayers (magic attacks) are all pretty bad. They all have so much windup that most enemies or bosses will interrupt you when you're trying to use them, and most of them don't have enough range to use from a safe distance.

The game is a Metroidvania souls-like similar to Hollow Knight, but the death mechanic is less punishing. You drop a fragment of guilt upon death, and until you collect it, your mana bar is shortened, your mana buildup is reduced, and you get less currency from killing enemies. You can also drop multiple fragments, so the mana bar can get shorter and shorter upon subsequent death. Even so, you don't lose any of the money you had, and if your guilt is in an annoying place, you can go pay a Confessor statue to recover it for you.

The difficulty curve feels similar to Dark Souls, too. There are three places you can go to start, and they're all doable, but I would say there is one direction that is easiest and I went there second.

One of my biggest beefs with the game is that there is no equivalent to the Firekeeper Soul/Undead Bone Shard, so while you find additional healing flasks, they always heal the same amount, even when your health is quadruple what you started with. Late game bosses deal huge chunks of damage, and if you want to recover you might have to use 5 flasks, all of which require a 2 second animation where you can't move. I found the best way to win was usually to avoid taking damage at all, and it's doable, but it leads to few of those satisfying scenarios where you eke out a win. Maybe to compensate for this, when you've fully upgraded the sword, it is stupidly strong, so I still wound up doing considerable damage every time I opened up the last boss.

There's a true ending that I don't think I would have discovered without looking it up. Also there's gonna be free DLC, so that's pretty cool. I would recommend the game.

also if I replayed this game it would be very different in some places because I did not learn until the final boss how to air combo. not sure if I missed a tutorial or what, but I didn't find out until I looked up what a certain item did.

Edit: Oh, another thing I'd ding it for is the music. There's a lot of nice Spanish-sounding guitar, but it feels pretty same-y after the third area.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 March, 2020, 06:38:53 pm
neat, I'm gonna have to try to play it at some time


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 March, 2020, 11:45:20 pm
word

also i'm gonna get animal crossing


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 01 April, 2020, 09:34:21 am
i played new leaf when my friend bought me a copy and i feel like i have exhausted my animal crossing time, its def in the "not for me" category


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 April, 2020, 09:38:33 am
it has reached a critical mass among multiple friend groups and i have talked myself into having my own animal crossing time, having missed all the others


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 April, 2020, 09:19:28 am
Animal Crossing: It's pleasant. I named my island Okunoshima. I have a dragon coming to live there. Won my first tarantula battle last night. It is amazing how fast time disappears while I feel like I'm not doing anything.

FFVII Remake is reviewing well and looks to be about 40 hours of Square asking fans what they really want out of this thing.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 07 April, 2020, 08:53:28 pm
it has reached a critical mass among multiple friend groups and i have talked myself into having my own animal crossing time, having missed all the others
this has essentially happened to me, so I bought it too just now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 April, 2020, 09:52:54 pm
i will not fall prey to this crossing, i wont let it take me again


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 April, 2020, 08:37:29 am
spent some time yesterday just arranging and planting flowers in front of my museum

it was nice

also one of my islanders wrote me a letter addressing me as "Squat Master Random"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 08 April, 2020, 04:22:54 pm
I’ve been removing some weeds. It’s quite zen.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 April, 2020, 11:07:23 am
Visited a friend's island last night and bought what is basically a Jotaro outfit.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVH17UFU4AAs29F.jpg:large)

yare yare


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 April, 2020, 02:14:39 pm
animal crossing is good now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 April, 2020, 11:00:25 pm
One of my favorite details about FFVIIR is that all the children you encounter can't stop talking about how cool Cloud is while every adult who isn't a party member cannot stand him and thinks he's an asshole.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 14 April, 2020, 11:29:24 pm
They gave Barret a separate, more stilted climbing animation for ladders.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 April, 2020, 11:38:18 pm
I beat FFVIIR last night. I'm excited for the next one, but also excited to replay this one. It's good. It's a good game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 April, 2020, 11:06:07 pm
Beat Bahamut tonight, so now I'm ready to start FFVII's hard mode.

I also rolled credits on Animal Crossing yesterday, which means I have terraforming powers now. I kinda don't really know what I want to do with them yet. I feel like I need to decide on districts for my island.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 30 April, 2020, 12:01:06 am
I am 6 chapters deep into hard mode for FFVII. I kinda expected the boss of chapter 5 to be the first big hurdle, but by virtue of knowing how to fight it from normal mode, it was pretty easy. If the chapter 7 boss doesn't give me trouble, then I'm fully expecting that one boss in chapter 9 to be a bottleneck.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 22 September, 2020, 07:10:30 pm
Play Hades.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 September, 2020, 11:22:19 pm
I'm gonna.

I just need to play Transistor and Pyre first.

But also I'm playing Mario Odyssey right now.

But hopefully I will have played Hades before the end of October.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 September, 2020, 11:33:04 am
It has been a while since I regularly posted in this topic, and this is why:

https://subjunctivitis.com/2020/09/25/every-game-i-played-in-2019/

I thought, back in April, that I was close to finishing this. And then 2020 kept happening.

If you skip to the end (there's a table of contents), you'll see that my conclusion is I want to do what I do here, video game journaling, over on my blog. I don't think that means I would stop posting here. I think this is a good space for initial thoughts and drafts. But you can tell from a lot of the stuff I repurposed from this topic that I spend enough time writing these posts that they might as well go on my actual blog.

Anyway, I've got to catch up at some point on things I've played over the summer, including Carrion, Origami King, Ghost of Tsushima, and now Mario Odyssey. Also Fall Guys, and I've gotten back into Overwatch.

So, soon. Maybe.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 25 September, 2020, 11:43:18 am
good content

Proud to be a draft reader here.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 27 September, 2020, 06:51:39 pm
good content

Proud to be a draft reader here.
Same here.

Also Overwatch seems like it’s in a good state right now which is nice to hear after the lackluster seasons and metas it has been having


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 28 September, 2020, 10:38:30 am
Oddly enough, it is. People have been saying this is the most balanced the game has been since GOATs, which makes sense because recent balance patches have basically reverted most of the damage and healing buffs that were made in that era. Lots of heroes feel viable with a fair bit of map dependency, which feels like what the game is supposed to be. It's wild.

There are still some outliers. The counter to a good Widow is still generally another Widow, and Orisa feels pretty weak right now. The saddest thing is that playing Zen is borderline throwing if the enemy team has a single person who realizes you exist. I'm trying to find a way to make him work, but it's tough. Playing support hasn't been very fun lately.

But that's ok because for the first time in my OW life, I've been primarily queuing for Damage. Playing a lot of Reaper, a lot of Hanzo and Ashe, some Mei, some McCree. I'll go Torb or Symm if it's the right spot, and if all else fails, there's Soldier. Playing DPS has been a bit of a revelation for my friends and I because these are the teammates we most often complained about 'cause y'know you get that Shimada who doesn't switch when needed. And for the most part, we actually do switch. So we'll get more wins, and the losses don't feel too bad. Quickplay is still plagued by leavers and smurfs, and I feel like we're inching toward just playing comp. I need to do my DPS placements. I was gold last time, so that should hold steady.

I did Tank placements last season and was still Plat. Zarya feels as good as ever. I'm trying to relearn Sigma with everything that's been changed about him in the past year. And my ongoing side project is learning to play Ball, which is fun even when I fail.

I should say that the "While You Wait" feature they added makes the DPS queue worthwhile. Being able to jump into deathmatch or something wacky in the game browser makes a big difference compared to waiting 5-7 minutes to find a match.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 October, 2020, 06:22:56 pm
The minecraft character's moveset is so disrespectful.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 04 October, 2020, 12:44:53 am
It looks fun but also designed in a way specifically to drive me nuts. I'm def in awe of Sakurai going "I guess I will make a crafting system for my fighting game."

bomberman mii lookin good


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 October, 2020, 11:25:57 pm
Yeah, I can't think of many devs who would think up a mining and crafting system for a character that explicitly requires retouching 100 stages to make it work and then deciding, yes, we will go ahead and do that.


I played Transistor last week, and I've started Pyre this week. These are very good games. I've had a few games lately hit me with that feeling of "I'm pretty far into this game now, but I don't feel like I'm having as much fun as when I first started playing it." And I think a lot of that is that I enjoy the phase of figuring out what the game is. Supergiant games seem to go against that, though. Probably a big part of that is that maybe games are too long. But also these people just know how to make the hell out of a dang video game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 06 October, 2020, 08:55:37 pm
games are extremely too long in almost every case

I bought Bastion and Transistor on Switch. At some point they will get slotted into the play scheduled. I have no idea when.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 October, 2020, 09:51:37 pm
Neither game is very long. They'll be good for a weekend where you just want to play something different.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 October, 2020, 11:39:46 pm
when you meet the secret leader of your group and this is his theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iD9hORtHXg

it's hard not to think "oh i think he might be the bad guy"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 15 October, 2020, 09:16:49 am
Been playing Risk of Rain 2 a fair bit with some friends. It's fun, if a bit mindless. We just unlocked the Artifact of Command, which lets us choose our items, so that should make for some fun builds. I've landed on the Artificer as my go-to character. They remind me of playing Warlock in Destiny. I did a solo run on drizzle so I could actually beat the game last night, so I'll probably give the captain a run next time I play.


Pyre continues to be great. I'm midway through my third cycle of rites, and I'm curious how long the game will actually go. I've still yet to lose a rite, and it's at the point where I almost want it to happen just so I can lose the pressure.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 23 October, 2020, 12:00:24 am
I've finished Pyre, and it is one of my favorite games. Can't put it simpler than that, but I'll try to figure out some more to say about it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 October, 2020, 10:29:59 am
Play Hades.
I'm playing Hades.

Hades is very good.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 27 October, 2020, 01:06:04 pm
I also started Hades last night. Enjoying it quite a bit so far.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 October, 2020, 03:24:57 pm
Cyberpunk is delayed again, which is the best news for me, a person who plays Destiny.

I also started Hades last night. Enjoying it quite a bit so far.
Excellent.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 November, 2020, 12:36:22 pm
I have reached the part where Hades has clicked and cleared 3 straight escape attempts. It felt really great getting that first clear. It was my 28th attempt overall, and my build didn't feel cheesy, just organic. Now the pressure is off and I can enjoy doing runs and talking to folks.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 01 November, 2020, 08:48:12 pm
Indeed! I dunno if this is how roguelikes usually are because I’ve never really dabbled in the genre, but Hades has a sense of progression that’s damn near unlike anything I’ve ever played. Everything just becomes clockwork and when you hit that point, where you blast through everything that harried you before, it feels GOOD. They do it in such a smart and clean way, I can’t even really describe it. It is a special game, that’s for sure.

I watched a friend go through it a while back and he was blessed by the RNG Gods with an ultra-cheese Charm build. It was to the point where bosses wouldn’t even attack him due to the constant re-application of the ailment over and over again and everything was stunlocked to death. I found it pretty funny because I went through the whole game not knowing how ridiculously strong it could be.

What weapon did you end up using the most, Random?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 02 November, 2020, 11:37:49 am
I always just take the purple weapon. Keeps things fresh and most importantly prevents me from having to make a decision. I got my first clear with the sword and have since done 2 clears each with the spear and the shield. I snapped my escape streak at 5 on a failed sword run, which was unfortunate because I accidentally sold my call and then never found another one, so that left me gimped in the last fight.

I think I like using the spear the most, especially with the Aspect of Hades. My most recent run with that one was crazy because I got the big spin and the quick spin hammers, which is just incredibly powerful even before boons.

Also regarding your friend, I've never even gotten a boon from her that gave me that perk. She ranks near the bottom on my boon prioritization, to the point that I suspect she's avoiding me now, and she's the only god I haven't had a chance to get a keepsake from. I'll have to look out for that, though.

Thinking about it all, though, I think the real key to the game clicking is I just started using everything that I was actually given. Leveling up with the mirror definitely helps, but like before I would be going through and not using my Call enough or I'd be ignoring certain traits of weapons. It's once you can work all of the tools available to you into your combat loop that you really start burning through runs.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 02 November, 2020, 09:26:25 pm
I had such a great build going with the Twin Fists at one point and I felt such tremendous loss when I died. I made it to Styx with it and died from poison, but honestly I can barely make it out of Elysium alive at this point now. Regardless of Thesus and his bullsh(http://)it, the rest of that area has been rough on me.

Adamant Rail is also fun because I get to go pew pew and kill enemies at a distance.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 03 November, 2020, 12:08:24 am
I had an awesome Rail build at one point with a Demeter special boon and the Triple Bomb hammer. I just got to sit behind cover and mortar everything to death.

Finally got a bow clear tonight and another spear clear (the spear is too good). I stopped in the middle of a promising Fists run that I think had me stumble across the build your friend had, Mattress. Or at least a particular combination of boons that literally stops bosses in their tracks. I feel like the Fists are always volatile, though, because of their close range. I think in the future I'm going to prioritize getting some Athena boons for that weapon.

The story is taking some interesting turns, too, which has confirmed some of my suspicions.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 November, 2020, 12:01:51 am
I have rolled credits on Hades. I maintain that it is an exceptionally good game, and I still have plenty more to play.

I'm up to 12 clears now, and I've finally got one on each weapon.

I also did a pretty stressful clear with the Aspect of Guan Yu. I usually have 200+ hp at the end of a run, and with that one I only had 64. Fortunately I got the Athena/Demeter duo boon that lets you regenerate health with no death defiances, so I just had to play the final fight carefully.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 November, 2020, 02:41:14 am
Maaaan, I snapped my streak at 11. The chain skewer hammer for the spear is a god damn scam.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 November, 2020, 10:37:25 pm
Rebuilding my PC has been a whirlwind affair.

Got a late start on it yesterday. Didn't have much trouble taking apart the old hardware. But then the new hardware posed some challenges. The CPU cooler was a pain to mount because of course it was. Then mounting the motherboard, there's a screw in the upper corner that is a big eff you if you don't have one of those magnetic screwdrivers, which I don't. Lost the screw trying to get it in there a few times, had to turn the whole case upside down and shake to get it out. Wound up solving the problem by using the tweezers from my model kit to place it in there.

The rest went smoothly enough. Got everything plugged in fine. Then I got everything set up, pressed the power button. Lighting on the motherboard comes on. All the fans are spinning including those on the GPU. But nothing showing up on the monitor. The DRAM light is on and there's an error code displayed.

So I go to the manual. What does the error code mean? "Reserved for future AMI SEC errors." Cool. Very helpful.

Did some Googling, sent some panicked messages to friends. 3 hours later I haven't been able to figure anything out. I tried the RAM in all sorts of configurations. Tried pulling the GPU out. I even reset the CMOS by popping the battery out and back in. Nothing.

Gave up and spent the rest of the night cleaning out my vault in Destiny.

Woke up today and gave a good hard look at my RAM packaging. I noticed there's an Intel symbol on it. I've got an AMD chip. Now this is not the problem. RAM is RAM and they all come with that symbol on the package. But it did get me to dig deeper. A friend pointed me to the support page for my motherboard, which has a list of qualified vendors and compatible RAM. The RAM I bought

is not on the list.

This is in spite of being the RAM that was linked to me by the friend who put together my parts list, and it was not flagged on PCPartPicker as having a compatibility issue. But it's not on the list, so I have ordered some RAM that is. Also maddening, after having trust issues with PCPP, I tried using both Amazon and Newegg's memory finders, but they won't even let me put my motherboard in there. I type it in and get no results. So I basically have no way to double check that the memory that is on its way will have any other result. I just have to plug it in when it gets here and hope it works.

Been a very boring weekend as a result of this. I almost broke down and bought Hades on Switch, but I resisted. If cross-save was live already, I probably would have done it.

Oh also, display port cables are a thing now I guess. My monitors only have HDMI and VGA ports on them, so I went to Staples today to grab a Display Port cable or adapter. They were selling a 6-foot cable for $50. The adapter was comparable. This felt like a scam, but I bought it anyway. Got home and checked Amazon. Top result is a cable for $13.

Fuck Staples. Fuck Jeff Bezos. Fuck capitalism.

I have to go to a UPS store to RMA my incompatible RAM, and that Staples has a UPS counter, so I inadvertently created a 2 birds, 1 stone situation for myself, but I'm still irritated.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 09 November, 2020, 09:19:02 pm
all of this sounds like a nightmare


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 09 November, 2020, 10:15:34 pm
It all falls pretty squarely on the downside of PC gaming, yeah.

also the staples ups counter couldn't print my shipping label for me so i had to go to a ups store anyway lol


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 10 November, 2020, 03:06:26 pm
It didn't work, of course. Gonna find a repair shop tomorrow.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 November, 2020, 01:36:40 pm
No computer updates, but I have spent the last week playing Beyond Light wall-to-wall.

I liked the campaign. It did a good job of grounding some of the lore that people might not be aware of in the actual story for once, although they still buried the lede on some of the more interesting tales, reserving those for post-campaign quests. The main antagonist suffered the fate of all Destiny campaign villains, which is always a shame, but I just expect nothing else at this point.

Meanwhile the Darkness remains this looming and ominous but ultimately incorporeal threat. I look at the plans for this new age of Destiny, the Age of Darkness, and I still don't see us fighting an actual Darkness race until 2022. That's a long time to wait for new things to shoot at.

They did add a new enemy type for the Fallen and the Vex, and both of those are great. The Brig are cool because you have to pump a ton of damage into them before they even have a crit spot, and the Wyverns command attention in a way few other enemies do. If we just got a new combatant for existing races every few seasons, that would be cool.

The star of the expansion as usual is the new destination. Europa is immediately one of my favorite planets we've ever gone to. I had a night last week where a friend and I just rode around trying to figure out some scavenger hunt type secrets there. It's also just enormous, and the weather effects feel dramatic.

I'm encouraged by how much seems to be left to unspool with regard to post-campaign developments, more to uncover on Europa, and all the seasonal stuff, too. Mostly I am excited for the raid. This should be a good one.

Oh and ice powers. Ice powers are pretty dope. I like that there's more to unlock with those, too. Feels like my characters have to actually spend time learning and taming this new power.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 20 November, 2020, 10:54:20 am
After a week in the shop, I received a phone call about my PC this morning informing me that I am in fact dumb and not unlucky. My large metallic son is coming home.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 20 November, 2020, 05:58:32 pm
so happy for this homecoming


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 November, 2020, 02:28:59 am
Played Hades for the first time in a month and man, I love this game.

I unlocked the hidden aspects for the fists and hoooooooo man, this is gonna be a fun run.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 December, 2020, 01:27:23 am
I did 4 runs in a row tonight and accomplished a ton. Fulfilled the Harsh Conditions prophecy, advanced a bunch of relationships, and unlocked the last 2 hidden aspects. Had some wild builds. I'm starting to come back around on Aphrodite just for the fact that her boons have the highest percentage increases.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 07 December, 2020, 12:28:06 am
I think I might have stumbled on the strongest build I've ever run. Aspect of Demeter + Kinetic Launcher + Artemis Special = enemies deleted. Throw in Crystal Clarity because the rest wasn't cracked enough, I guess.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 December, 2020, 12:13:11 am
First sub-20 run tonight with Eris and a whole lot of Zeus.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 December, 2020, 01:03:51 pm
ok, I'll get the second fighter's pass now


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 11 December, 2020, 10:23:13 pm
lmao

I legit laughed when I realized who it was, completely surprised by this one. Glad there's another villain option even if he's not necessarily my favorite choice.

square being forced to add another ff song to smash


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 12 December, 2020, 02:02:05 pm
It's certainly a safer choice than some of the more recent DLC fighters

and one of the first thoughts I had was "maybe square will let them use more music this time"


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 December, 2020, 07:34:44 pm
https://twitter.com/subjunctivitis/status/1339742387460050946?s=20

took a few tries, but we got him


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 18 December, 2020, 09:45:19 am
yeah I got my ass kicked by him a lot, finally got him with Bowser side b spam when I found he kept foolishly allowing me to grab him right after landing basically


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 December, 2020, 01:20:22 pm
I used Dark Samus and definitely shot a lot of missiles, but he does have openings to get some decent damage in.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 27 December, 2020, 12:52:11 pm
Hit the epilogue of Hades last night, right after a run where I completed Extreme Measures 4. Quite a nice capstone. I've still got some prophecies to take care of, and I'd like to see if I can maybe do all the achievements at some point, but I'm going to take a break for now.

I started up Doom Eternal last week and it has a really strange feel compared to Doom 2016. Like I'm only 3 levels in but I already feel like they might have added too much stuff. Also the music has been totally unmemorable, so that's a bad sign.

I also started a replay of Celeste with the intention of actually finding all the secrets and stuff this time. That's still a very good game.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 30 December, 2020, 11:47:29 pm
Hell yeah, the B sides in Celeste are the best levels in the game. C sides are good too.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 December, 2020, 01:34:41 am
Yeah they're pretty sick. I've done all the base game B-sides and found 175 strawberries. I'm working through Chapter 9 now.

The Chapter 6 B-Side was the most brutal by far for me. Chapter 7's B-Side was just sick all the way through. And then both Chapter 8 levels were rad.

Was also amused by some of the remixers. Ben Prunty is good stuff of course, but Jukio Kallio did the Chapter 6 remix and he's done both Hotline Miami and Fall Guys.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2021, 02:41:51 am
It took me like 3 hours tonight to learn how to wavedash, in which time I got so frustrated that I went to do some C-Sides instead (the second of those nearly killed me), but I came back and made it past that screen with the double wavedash wall kick. This game will not beat me.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 01 January, 2021, 10:09:14 pm
https://subjunctivitis.com/2021/01/01/every-game-i-played-in-2020/

I restrained myself and actually whipped this up in a timely manner.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 02 January, 2021, 01:31:37 pm
thank you for posting this here i would have missed the email since im not checking my work email until monday


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 January, 2021, 11:42:29 pm
I've made it to the final section of Farewell and it is a terror to behold


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 06 January, 2021, 11:27:44 pm
5438 deaths, 13 hours and 43 minutes. Farewell complete.

Also completed my 60th clear in Hades.

Good night on an otherwise terrible day.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 13 January, 2021, 11:10:29 am
Are you going to continue Fall Guys every once in a while or are you done with it?

I played for a day and deleted it immediately because I knew what sinister intentions that game had in store for me. That game has Mario Party salt pumping in its veins.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 January, 2021, 06:25:45 pm
I'm at the point where I check in with it whenever new stuff drops, but I'm not even playing it weekly at this point. It does kinda have that vibe, though, you right.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Scourge the Hedgehog on 13 January, 2021, 06:31:15 pm
Yeah, I almost tried it again because I saw it had DOOM and Sonic costumes but...I dunno.

Any interest in checking out Monster Hunter Rise by any chance?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 13 January, 2021, 11:32:41 pm
I've never played a Monster Hunter game other than Peacewalker. Not to say I wouldn't, but I don't have any built-in interest.

I don't really know what games are coming out in the near future, though, so maybe I'll find myself in a spot where I'm curious enough to try it.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 16 January, 2021, 11:45:35 pm
Finished all C-Sides in Celeste, and got my 100th clear in Hades tonight. Real gaming hours up in here.

I'll probably keep playing Hades, honestly. It's not really diminishing at all, but I'm done with Celeste, so now I may finally get back to Doom Eternal.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 January, 2021, 11:25:32 pm
Finally got Bad Call. 100% of Hades achievements complete.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 29 January, 2021, 11:27:57 pm
Apropos of nothing, here is a hasty ranking of the demons in DOOM Eternal.

1. Revenant
2. Whiplash
3. Archvile
4. Dread Knight
5. Arachnotron
6. Doom Hunter
7. Cacodemon
8. Pinky
9. Mancubus
10. Pain Elemental
11. Khan Maykr
12. The Gladiator
13. Baron of Hell
14. Marauder
15. Tyrant
16. Cyber-Mancubus
17. Hell Knight
18. Cueball
19. Spectre
20. Icon of Sin
21. Imp
22. Prowler
23. Soldier (Shield)
24. Soldier
25. Mecha-Zombies
26. Gargoyle
27. Maykr Drone
28. Zombie
29. Tentacle
30. Lost Soul



Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 08 February, 2021, 09:06:49 am
i like a good ranking

Cacodemon gotta be number one for me but you can't go wrong with most of them honestly


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 08 February, 2021, 12:16:11 pm
My favorite thing about the cacodemon is the little "pop" sound that it makes when you rip its eye out during a glory kill.

I'm already not sure if I agree with my own list, and having played the first DLC I need to add in the bosses plus the Spirit and the Blood Maykr. The DLC is just a whooooole lot, and I liked it, but it took a lot out of me.

Since beating that, I have gone back and replayed the game on Nightmare difficulty. I mostly blazed through without trouble. Ultra-Violence prepared me well and helped me get a handle on all the mechanics. The main thing I did differently was that I actually used the frag grenade after rebinding the grenade toggle button. My weapon upgrades were a lot more optimal with the benefit of hindsight, too.

It's fair to say I wound up liking the game a lot. That initial first impression just comes from what I thought I had liked about the first game, but I have since gone back and done a lot of DOOM 2016 on Nightmare, too. I'm 4 levels from the end now, and the differences are surprising. The intrusive tutorials aren't there at all, and I like the secrets better with how they're hidden in the map (fewer breakable walls, more "hiding in plain sight" buttons). But the combat is actually a bit underwhelming.

It's not just that there's no flamethrower or sword or anything like that, or even that the weapons don't feel as good (though some of them do not). It's just that the combat puzzle is easier to solve. There are more encounters with powerups, which are fun to cut loose in, but figuring out the fight tends to boil down to when you decide to grab the berserk or quad damage or whatever. You also *never* have to use the chainsaw. Between ammo crates and ammo in the environment, you will never run out of ammo in a fight. If for some reason you run out of shotgun, you can switch to rockets and be fine, or vice versa. It is absolutely possible to just run around double-tapping every enemy with the super shotgun by mid-game.

By comparison, I much prefer the resource management in Eternal. Having to save ammo for a weapon because I know a certain enemy is coming up that is countered by it feels a lot better in the aftermath. Deciding what to use my rockets on, whether to use the plasma rifle or save ammo for the ballista. It's far more satisfying in practice.

I should finish replaying the 2016 game tonight or sometime this week. There's new stuff going on in Destiny, but after that I'm not sure what my next game is going to be. Maybe I'll finally get around to Umurangi Generation or Return of the Obra Dinn. Not sure if going with something slower paced will work out for me after this much DOOM, but I guess we'll see.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 February, 2021, 12:28:14 am
oh no valheim is taking over my life


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 17 March, 2021, 12:11:19 pm
fffff ancient gods part 2 tomorrow, i'm not ready dangit


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 22 March, 2021, 12:12:21 am
My ongoing project in Valheim has been a recreation of Meduseld, the Golden Hall at Edoras.

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1756940489107990140/6836E2ED07168C3416D8871157D3E15917CBA51C/)

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1756940489107995698/BA803AA1DD35CA0168A08C38C79B76DEC1D1101A/)

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1756940489108000548/BC20815992FF6C930E4B6D6785AF060E7C4142FD/)

What it lacks in adornment, I feel it makes up for in shape and feel. I'm reasonably pleased with my efforts.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 04 April, 2021, 12:47:01 pm
Not games, but I have now watched all of Legendary's Monsterverse movies.

I rewatched Godzilla 2014, which I still really like as a movie. The main character is whatever, but the way that movie actually treats and shows the monsters is probably the best of any of these films. It does so many cool things with perspective and scale. Also the sound design rules.

Kong: Skull Island is also super good. It's got characters I actually cared about even though they're a little thin on paper. Some of the shots in that movie are just incredible.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a really dumb movie. They looked at the 2014 film and said "Right, so the best things to take away from this are echolocation and tragic dads. Also man is a virus or something." It also tries to bring the overall tone of Kong in which kinda just translates to Bradley Whitford making a bunch of bad jokes. The monster fights are fun enough to merit watching. Oh also, Charles Dance is in this movie and somehow doesn't matter at all.

Finally, Godzilla vs. Kong. First of all, I feel like Kong had more screentime, which immediately disappoints me because I'm #TeamGodzilla. Secondly, this movie barely, barely has a plot, which is ridiculous given how many characters they attempt to have in this film. It would have been a lot better if MBB and co's plotline was just deleted from the script, but I guess they left it in because she's Godzilla's POV character? Except she doesn't actually do that. There's no tragic dads, but Bryan Tyree Henry's wife is fridged prior to the events of the film. Anyway, the "vs." part of the film is again worth it. This was thankfully the shortest film in the franchise.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 05 April, 2021, 05:35:50 pm
We should all probably discuss these movies at some point during our next DS3 session.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 05 April, 2021, 07:27:29 pm
That is a good idea.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 07 April, 2021, 09:19:02 pm
i am down

I haven't watched the first one since it came out so my memory is rusty but I do recall enjoying it. I liked all of them to varying degrees.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 18 April, 2021, 10:33:40 pm
My long-awaited replay of Sekiro is proceeding smoothly, the only wrinkle being that every fight I approach with trepidation I one-shot and every fight I approach with confidence I die multiple times.

Genichiro? Guardian Ape? The shamasin lady? All down in one.

The red-eyed ogre? Gyoubu? The double ape fight? Apparently those didn't sink in as well back when I did them the first time.

Owl is next. We'll see how that one goes.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 19 April, 2021, 10:40:21 pm
He took 4 tries.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 24 April, 2021, 01:53:05 am
The first phase of the Sword Saint fight is easily the hardest. His attacks become so much more readable when he has the spear out, and then in phase 3 you get free damage off of lightning reversals. When he's only using his sword, his attacks have this weird rhythm, and he's also got that one thrust that's the fastest thrust in the game. He put me through my paces tonight, but as soon as I got to his second health bar, it was over.

I think I'm going to do the first gauntlet of strength and then start NG+. I was thinking about doing a Shura run, but maybe it makes sense to do another full run to max out the upgrades first? Rather than waiting until NG++ to do that?

The only main ending I have left is the one where Kuro dies. What order did you do things in, Youef?


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 April, 2021, 01:49:44 am
First gauntlet down. Inner Genichiro took me like 2 hours to beat just practicing, and then another hour once I was actually running the gauntlet itself. It was like relearning the fight from the ground up, and even more so than the regular version, a small mistake can mean death. I got pretty lucky on the run that I managed to beat it.

Now I'm in NG+. I've killed Gyoubu and Lady Butterfly and I haven't died yet. I also beat Genichiro in the prologue. We'll see how long this lasts.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Youef on 25 April, 2021, 02:08:13 am
I know I did the Dragon’s Homecoming ending first. Fairly certain I did Shura after that, then either Purification or Immortal Severance, though I don’t remember the order of the last two. I spent the last maybe hour or so grinding to upgrade all of my skills as well.

My favorite playthroughs were all of my subsequent ones. I think I had like one death in my very last playthrough, and it felt satisfying to have come that far, especially when the game gave me so much trouble my first time through.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 April, 2021, 03:32:03 pm
Nice.

Well my deathless run ended on the steps of Ashina Castle because I was careless fighting that one general and got shot in the back. I also died to the monkey horde in Bodhisattva Valley, which was dumb.

But now I've killed the ape and I'm gonna go down into the depths next. Doing Senpou Temple last for once, just to see what that's like.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 26 April, 2021, 11:21:29 pm
Doing Senpou Temple last for once, just to see what that's like.
Super annoying, as it turns out. The ghosts that show up at sunset are way more annoying there than they are at either of the other two places.

Beat the Shura ending tonight. Nice as it was to sit there and learn some new bosses, I definitely felt terrible about it. Which is why I'm glad I get to play again for, apparently, two more endings. According to Steam I don't have the trophy for Dragon's Homecoming? Even though I did that my first playthrough. I'm a little annoyed, but there are worse games to have to play again.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 31 August, 2021, 09:21:55 am
I've been annoyed at this site ever since my theme changer stopped working. It's not the same without the Christmas theme.
Also the read/unread indicators seem to be broken on the front page.

Anyway, what have I done since I was playing Sekiro in April.

A whole season of Destiny came and went. Now we're in the second week of a 6-month season leading up to Witch Queen. So far, so good.

I also played through the whole Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Those games hold up for the most part. I tried being less of a cop this time but still was mostly Paragon. Successfully romanced someone this time around, so that alone made replaying worthwhile. Also I didn't realize this, but there's a backstory where Shepard's mom is alive and you get to talk to her like once a game. There were a few small things like that I found this time around.

After that, I picked up Darkest Dungeon. A streamer I follow had been playing it a fair bit, and I've always had a passing interest in the game, but never picked it up for some reason. I want to go on record as saying that game rules. I should be nearing the end of my first playthrough. I've got 2 region bosses left and then 2 more missions in the DD. Hasn't been a flawless run by any means, but I've mostly avoided catastrophe. I might try playing Stygian or Bloodmoon next time. Maybe.

That's pretty much it. Apex probably fills in any gaps in my gaming otherwise.

Also watched Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and the EVA rebuilds, and I'm keeping up with MHA even though I feel like that show is getting progressively dumber. There's some stuff that keeps me watching, but I dunno. It might lose me depending on how the season wraps up.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 31 August, 2021, 02:32:15 pm
I'm on ME2 currently and its still a blast. I was a renegade my original playthrough so I have instead ended up being more of a cop this time to counter. I miss the freedom of hanging up on people and punching people though.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 11 October, 2021, 11:18:49 pm
Metroid Dread thoughts:

- Regular power shot doors and charge shot doors do not have enough visual differentiation
- Some of the shinespark puzzles are irritatingly tight, though I guess they are satisfying to pull off
- The music is pretty disappointing. It's ambient but not terribly memorable.
- I wish you could turn off the hint system (even if it's not as bad as it could be)

Aside from those things, I really liked it. Movement feels great, the boss fights were all cool, I'm a fan of the difficulty and plan on playing Hard Mode, and there's just something satisfying about bouncing around one of them there metroidvania maps. I've seen some criticism of it but I liked the art direction a lot. Loved the depth in each room and how the environments are built out generally. I think most of all, Samus still rules and playing as Samus feels great.

Good video game. Hope we get another one sooner.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 13 October, 2021, 03:38:25 pm
gonna wait until around christmas for this one but everything i've seen looks pretty sick, i'm excited, samus returns was great and this looks like it'll be a good follow up to that

kraid boss baby hes finally back


Title: Re: random games
Post by: Random on 25 September, 2022, 01:02:58 am
The theme changer seems to be even more broken now.


Title: Re: random games
Post by: ganonfloyd on 29 November, 2022, 01:26:37 pm
i admire its consistency