Kalin
Unwanted
Nope he is just an idiot, the whole series is very much worth playing.
-
Welcome to rpgcodex.net, a site dedicated to discussing computer based role-playing games in a free and open fashion. We're less strict than other forums, but please refer to the rules.
"This message is awaiting moderator approval": All new users must pass through our moderation queue before they will be able to post normally. Until your account has "passed" your posts will only be visible to yourself (and moderators) until they are approved. Give us a week to get around to approving / deleting / ignoring your mundane opinion on crap before hassling us about it. Once you have passed the moderation period (think of it as a test), you will be able to post normally, just like all the other retards.
What game are you wasting time on?
- Thread starter Trash
- Start date
Ash
Arcane
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2015
- Messages
- 7,049
Agreed. Just add Spelunky 2 (which I also saw that you played).
I too have been very impressed by Hades, but the gameplay (after some 70 hours) appears to be running its course before the story has. I think that may be the result of my skill level though (I'm not amazing but appear to be notably better than average since it took me 20 runs to first beat Hades and a friend took 51 to do the same) -- the game is probably more designed to the median player. I can't really complain though, the game has a lot of love put into both its gameplay and story. I only disagree with you in regards to the soundtrack. Sure it's good and fitting but nothing makes me *feel* the way a great soundtrack does aside from the main/end boss theme.
I also think more level and enemy diversity was needed. The game for sure has depth but there is ultimately only four worlds with the same enemy types over and over. Yes the pact of punishment adds a little diversity but it's actually not that much.
Last edited:
Ash
Arcane
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2015
- Messages
- 7,049
shoutbox archive said:
He buddy vortex, mind telling me a little more about Rebirth? How is the world design? Dungeon design? Mod faithfulness? Mod professionalism (does it feel like your average mod or akin to official content).
The terrible balance is definitely one of the first things that kills morrowind for me every damn time I try. Last time it was the boots of blinding speed + enchantments to remove the blinding effect, among other issues. I have high hopes the game is un-retarded.
Wunderbar
Arcane
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2015
- Messages
- 8,825
Finished Forbidden Siren and Forbidden Siren 2, a series of PS2-exclusive survival horrors from Keiichiro Toyama, the director of original Silent Hill.
SH started as a Resident Evil clone but had a reduced emphasis on survival mechanics and a bigger focus on story and setting. Siren continues this trend of distancing away from RE and removes the essential "survival horror" mechanic of resource conservation, but makes up for it with the very unusual storytelling. And by that i mean not the story (the actual story is a bog standard Lovecraftian horror complete with a creepy village, cultists, human sacrifices and eldritch god), but a way the story is being told.
The campaign is divided into missions, each taking place in different areas of the village, and is told through the perspectives of ten survivors. Missions are structured in a table called "Link navigator" chronologically, but are played outside of chronological order - in one mission you control an ordinary japanese high schooler and must navigate through a forest, in the next mission set hours later your character is a university professor and your objective is to conduct an investigation, then you play as a local priest and witness something that happened a day before, etc, etc. All of your objectives are linked together through a butterfly effect, so performing a certain action as one character may affect the fate of a different person hours later.
This is already a very unusual format, but the game goes further and constantly breaks the fourth wall by giving you objectives that don't make sense for the character and only make sense for the player who has the meta knowledge. For example, the mission starts with "FIND A DOCUMENT". What document? My character doesn't know anything about this "document", he just came here. So you finish this mission, and it ends with a scene where your guy finds a hidden letter and says "huh? wtf is this?". And then few missions later this letter somehow becomes useful. It kinda reminded me of a 70s cartoon "Around the world in 80 days", where at the beginning of each episode Phileas Fogg asks Passepartout to pack some random items (like an old newspaper and a toothpick), and then near the end of an episode all of those items prove to be essential (the bad guy locks main characters in a room and leaves a key in a keyhole, Fogg puts a newspaper under the door, uses a toothpick to push the key out, the key falls on a newspaper and can be pulled back inside the room).
Now, this is cool and all, but the devs abused this butterfly effect thing to the point of players not being able to play the game without a walkthrough. Sometimes you can't even progress because you've failed to do a certain hidden task many hours ago in some unrelated mission. Ok, the objective is to find a diary, but where is it? *hours later* wtf turns out the diary was in a locked box, and i was supposed to hit a padlock with a rock to make it weaker in one of previous missions! Like a half of game's puzzles cannot be solved without replaying prior missions while pressing the "use" key near every interactable object, or having some prior knowledge from reading a walkthrough. I believe the game was specifically designedto sell strategy guides to be solved through a group effort (like PT, just on a smaller scale), but it was still a questionable design decision, especially in 2003 when the internet wasn't as widespread as it is now.
Gameplay-wise, Siren is less of a straight up survival horror like RE or SH, and more of an adventure with stealth elements. Quite often you don't have the means of defending yourself, and even when you do it's usually some shitty revolver with a dozen of bullets, or some rusty pipe. And even then the shibitos (your main enemy in the game, essentially walking corpses) are immortal and will raise back from the dead a couple of minutes later. The stealth system is very rigid, the levels are usually cramped and don't have a lot of ways to run away to, so most of the time being spotted leads to a game over screen.
All of the above may sound overly negative, but I actually really enjoyed Siren. It's not another RE clone, it's not another story about a sinner who did something bad and now represses their memories, it's not a storyfag walking sim filled with jumpscares.
Yes, the game has some trial and error moments, the story is overly cryptic, and the puzzles may require you to look up a guide every now and then, but in the end Siren is a truly unique experience. I'm glad i've played it even if it wasn't always fun.
The campaign is divided into missions, each taking place in different areas of the village, and is told through the perspectives of ten survivors. Missions are structured in a table called "Link navigator" chronologically, but are played outside of chronological order - in one mission you control an ordinary japanese high schooler and must navigate through a forest, in the next mission set hours later your character is a university professor and your objective is to conduct an investigation, then you play as a local priest and witness something that happened a day before, etc, etc. All of your objectives are linked together through a butterfly effect, so performing a certain action as one character may affect the fate of a different person hours later.
This is already a very unusual format, but the game goes further and constantly breaks the fourth wall by giving you objectives that don't make sense for the character and only make sense for the player who has the meta knowledge. For example, the mission starts with "FIND A DOCUMENT". What document? My character doesn't know anything about this "document", he just came here. So you finish this mission, and it ends with a scene where your guy finds a hidden letter and says "huh? wtf is this?". And then few missions later this letter somehow becomes useful. It kinda reminded me of a 70s cartoon "Around the world in 80 days", where at the beginning of each episode Phileas Fogg asks Passepartout to pack some random items (like an old newspaper and a toothpick), and then near the end of an episode all of those items prove to be essential (the bad guy locks main characters in a room and leaves a key in a keyhole, Fogg puts a newspaper under the door, uses a toothpick to push the key out, the key falls on a newspaper and can be pulled back inside the room).
Now, this is cool and all, but the devs abused this butterfly effect thing to the point of players not being able to play the game without a walkthrough. Sometimes you can't even progress because you've failed to do a certain hidden task many hours ago in some unrelated mission. Ok, the objective is to find a diary, but where is it? *hours later* wtf turns out the diary was in a locked box, and i was supposed to hit a padlock with a rock to make it weaker in one of previous missions! Like a half of game's puzzles cannot be solved without replaying prior missions while pressing the "use" key near every interactable object, or having some prior knowledge from reading a walkthrough. I believe the game was specifically designed
Gameplay-wise, Siren is less of a straight up survival horror like RE or SH, and more of an adventure with stealth elements. Quite often you don't have the means of defending yourself, and even when you do it's usually some shitty revolver with a dozen of bullets, or some rusty pipe. And even then the shibitos (your main enemy in the game, essentially walking corpses) are immortal and will raise back from the dead a couple of minutes later. The stealth system is very rigid, the levels are usually cramped and don't have a lot of ways to run away to, so most of the time being spotted leads to a game over screen.
All of the above may sound overly negative, but I actually really enjoyed Siren. It's not another RE clone, it's not another story about a sinner who did something bad and now represses their memories, it's not a storyfag walking sim filled with jumpscares.
Yes, the game has some trial and error moments, the story is overly cryptic, and the puzzles may require you to look up a guide every now and then, but in the end Siren is a truly unique experience. I'm glad i've played it even if it wasn't always fun.
The sequel, Forbidden Siren 2, is so much better than the first game it's not even funny. Pretty much everything that bugged me about Siren 1 was addressed in one way or another. Overly rigid stealth system leading to trial and error moments? Fixed, your character moves faster while crouched and the levels are now designed in a way so it is possible to run away and lose the enemy. Puzzles are too cryptic? The game now gives you hints on how to complete objectives and unlock new stages. The first game had a very hardcore beginning with the very first mission being about running away from an armed shibito policeman, Siren 2 on the other hand holds your hand for a couple of stages and teaches you how to interact with environment, use weapons and sneak past enemies. You may think "casualization! decline!", and it may appear so. But what's more important is that the sequel retained most of the uniqueness of Siren 1 while fixing its mistakes and refining the gameplay. The link navigator, complex non-linear narrative with multiple playable characters, hidden objectives - everything is still here, it's just doesn't make you pull your hair out because the sequel plays like a well-designed game and not a "guess how this mission was intended to be played or die trying" puzzle.
In the first Siren playable characters from the gameplay perspective can be divided into roughly three cathegories - the ones who have guns, the ones who have melee weapons, and completely defenseless. In Siren 2, the character roster is way more diverse - now we have a guy who can lay bear traps, a psychic girl who can mind-control enemies, a blind dude who can see through the eyes of his guide dog, JSDF soldiers armed with an assault rifle and smoke grenades, and so on. With improved AI, gameplay systems and new character abilities designers were able to come up with a much more varied missions - it's not just "escape from the area" or "find mcguffin". You can now loot shibitos and take away their weapons (making them less dangerous once they woke up after beating), you can now use first-person view to snipe enemies from afar when playing as JSDF soldiers (other characters either don't have access to rifles, or aren't trained properly so their aiming sucks). Later into the game you begin encountering new types of monsters who are afraid of the light, and this ties into gameplay as well - you can now strategically turn your flashlight on/off to blind them, you can use illuminated areas to stun pursuers or to deal damage (kinda like in Alan Wake). The missions are way longer now too, which brings back the element of resource conservation that was almost absent in the first game.
The tone is probably the only weird thing about Siren 2. If the first game was consistently dark and oppressive, the sequel sometimes goes into more fun direction (complete with a comic relief character of Soji Abe), but sometimes it cranks up the darkness which by contrast makes horrific parts even more horrific. The tonal shifts and occasional missions where you play as a soldier with an assault rifle made me think that Sony asked developers to use RE4 as an inspiration (RE4 came out soon after Siren 1 and was a smash hit), but i don't have proofs.
Overall Siren 2 is an all around solid game and can be easily recommended to every horror enthusiast. You can play it even if you haven't played the original game, because there's barely any connection between them.
In the first Siren playable characters from the gameplay perspective can be divided into roughly three cathegories - the ones who have guns, the ones who have melee weapons, and completely defenseless. In Siren 2, the character roster is way more diverse - now we have a guy who can lay bear traps, a psychic girl who can mind-control enemies, a blind dude who can see through the eyes of his guide dog, JSDF soldiers armed with an assault rifle and smoke grenades, and so on. With improved AI, gameplay systems and new character abilities designers were able to come up with a much more varied missions - it's not just "escape from the area" or "find mcguffin". You can now loot shibitos and take away their weapons (making them less dangerous once they woke up after beating), you can now use first-person view to snipe enemies from afar when playing as JSDF soldiers (other characters either don't have access to rifles, or aren't trained properly so their aiming sucks). Later into the game you begin encountering new types of monsters who are afraid of the light, and this ties into gameplay as well - you can now strategically turn your flashlight on/off to blind them, you can use illuminated areas to stun pursuers or to deal damage (kinda like in Alan Wake). The missions are way longer now too, which brings back the element of resource conservation that was almost absent in the first game.
The tone is probably the only weird thing about Siren 2. If the first game was consistently dark and oppressive, the sequel sometimes goes into more fun direction (complete with a comic relief character of Soji Abe), but sometimes it cranks up the darkness which by contrast makes horrific parts even more horrific. The tonal shifts and occasional missions where you play as a soldier with an assault rifle made me think that Sony asked developers to use RE4 as an inspiration (RE4 came out soon after Siren 1 and was a smash hit), but i don't have proofs.
Overall Siren 2 is an all around solid game and can be easily recommended to every horror enthusiast. You can play it even if you haven't played the original game, because there's barely any connection between them.
vortex
Fabulous Optimist
It's quite faithful since Rebirth adds quality of life changes and fixes graphical glitches. I didn't like in vanilla a charge for enchanting and spellmaking so I played with mage with little to do around those things. Vanilla is notoriously bad for mages. Rebirth makes Morrowind more enjoyable while not breaking it. You won't see any glaring changes in dungeons while have some bugs fixed. It's like unofficial patch and quality of life mod.
From what I remember of my time playing it, don't actively try to complete the MMO-style quests, the rewards aren't amazing and you'll mostly do them as you normally progress through the game or while exploring.
Playing Might&Magic 2 Iron Manlet I had my first combat party death near the end.
Was fighting Alcwande and his Elementals on the Plane of Water. He turned out to be quite a bit more resilient than his colleagues of Air and Fire, with very high AC and MAR. After him breathing for the third time only Sure Valla was left standing, but no worries, she'll use that Herbal Patch on Gene Eric who will cast Divine Intervention. Only problem was that in a previous battle I had pressed the wrong key when trying to Use a Meteor Bow, so now that Herbal Patch had become a Useless Item, and Sure Valla was not able to run away (Time Distortion doesn't work on the Planes).
Was fighting Alcwande and his Elementals on the Plane of Water. He turned out to be quite a bit more resilient than his colleagues of Air and Fire, with very high AC and MAR. After him breathing for the third time only Sure Valla was left standing, but no worries, she'll use that Herbal Patch on Gene Eric who will cast Divine Intervention. Only problem was that in a previous battle I had pressed the wrong key when trying to Use a Meteor Bow, so now that Herbal Patch had become a Useless Item, and Sure Valla was not able to run away (Time Distortion doesn't work on the Planes).
Last edited:
I'm Big Into Anal
Arcane
total tank simulator
a giftravaganza win from mediocrepoet
keeps on crashing to desktop from the title screen (even if it gets to that)
checked steam bitch thread and yes there seems to be a issue here not just me
might need a few more months in the oven before i have another go
EDIT: dont feel sad bro the game itself looks ok and i will revisit it; not your fault mate you dndu nuffin
a giftravaganza win from mediocrepoet
keeps on crashing to desktop from the title screen (even if it gets to that)
checked steam bitch thread and yes there seems to be a issue here not just me
might need a few more months in the oven before i have another go
EDIT: dont feel sad bro the game itself looks ok and i will revisit it; not your fault mate you dndu nuffin
Last edited:
laclongquan
Arcane
SIlent Storm is nicknamed S2 to avoid the SS implication. So SSS is S3, naturally.
But you finish S3, so why not let Hammer & Sickle morally corrupted you, comrade?
Yaz
Learned
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2020
- Messages
- 283
https://store.steampowered.com/app/418240/Shadow_Tactics_Blades_of_the_Shogun/
A refreshing change of pace for me with this Commandos throwback. Good Game.
A refreshing change of pace for me with this Commandos throwback. Good Game.
Latest bunch:
Luigi's Mansion 3 (Liked it! Very entertaining, really enjoyed exploring the 'haunted hotel', I'm a sucker for 'detail', was plenty to be found in the seemingly painstakingly hand-crafted rooms. Funny game too! Always thought Luigi was a bit of a fruit, but this lanky doofus is alright by me.)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Fun combat, fun story, fun characters and fun interactions between said characters. Often quite fruity, didn't mind.)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Just finished yesterday. Took 75-80 hours, despite the fact that I made it a point to rush through the last couple of chapters. Was awesome though! Spent the first 20 hours or so thinking, 'this is the greatest game I've ever played.' Wasn't quite that by the time I was done, still, it was quite an experience. This shit's all brand new to me, don't think I ever really played a JRPG before. Always thought I'd hate all that stuff. I was wrong! Loved it!)
Man, this f'ing Switch. Everything I play is fresh as hell (to me anyway) and super-fun. Mario Odyssey is next up. Might lose my mind.
Citizen
Guest
Trine 2 babyyyyyy, it's great
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2014
- Messages
- 14,168
In three player local co-op, it was hilarious.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2018
- Messages
- 4,241
Like I said, retarded reasons.
Because it's a bad game. S3 isn't.
I'm Big Into Anal
Arcane
sims 4
Cael
Arcane
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2017
- Messages
- 21,988
There is no original Avernum. Avernum was not an original. The original was Exile.
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2014
- Messages
- 14,168
Since I haven't worked for half of the month, I have put in a huge amount of time gaming.
I beat Metal Arms: Glitch in the System. It scratched some of my Ratchet & Clank itch that I had. Less platforming, more shooting, but similar humor. It's a decent game that holds up fairly well. I didn't have many control issues, even if they feel a bit dated.
Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1 is a short, wacky walking simulator/adventure game. I didn't know it's in the same world as Norwood Suite, so I'll play that one as well. While I call it "walking simulator", you do talk with other people and help them with tasks, but it's not as deep as adventure games. It's a chill/surreal experience.
I'm also making progress with Troubleshooter, Geneforge 5 and Cyberpunk 2077.
I beat Metal Arms: Glitch in the System. It scratched some of my Ratchet & Clank itch that I had. Less platforming, more shooting, but similar humor. It's a decent game that holds up fairly well. I didn't have many control issues, even if they feel a bit dated.
Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1 is a short, wacky walking simulator/adventure game. I didn't know it's in the same world as Norwood Suite, so I'll play that one as well. While I call it "walking simulator", you do talk with other people and help them with tasks, but it's not as deep as adventure games. It's a chill/surreal experience.
I'm also making progress with Troubleshooter, Geneforge 5 and Cyberpunk 2077.
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2014
- Messages
- 14,168
^Well, I played the Norwood Suite, also took me two hours. Just as chill and surreal experience as the above mentioned game by these guys.. Their first game is free to play on Steam, maybe I will take a look at that once I deal a little bit more with the backlog.
As an Amazon Associate, rpgcodex.net earns from qualifying purchases.