What are you playing right now? VI -

DarkHoodness · #**121** 04-05-2014, 09:42 AM

This confuses me 'cause I wasn't seeking argument, only sharing thoughts through discussion. Sorry about my posts not being clear (or something). I don't think you're wrong, and I even agreed with you when I said that the easier to unlock ships are a compromise for how unfair FTL was.

I think what I'm trying to say is that, for me, even though the chances of finding ship unlock quests was random and therefore "unfair", I found that it increased FTL's longevity because it gave me a reason to keep "trying my luck" (maybe a little like gambling?). Perhaps part of the reason I could do that over a long time without getting bored is because FTL is one of the rare sort of games I can play while doing other things (like watching TV/waiting for dinner to cook), so I appreciated the extra "challenge".

I'll also elaborate what I meant when I talked about "skill" earlier: If one learns FTL's tactics so that they win fights and progress further, and head to race/faction-specific homeworld sectors when they appear on the map, it doesn't make finding the quests any less random or unfair, but it does increase their chances of finding them.

But at the same time I can perfectly understand why that didn't appeal to others, your opinion isn't wrong, and as I said in my last post: If the change makes the game more fun for people, than that's fine. When I said "I'm wondering if that makes things a little too easy" earlier, it was more of a thought, and not a complaint. (And besides that, I've already unlocked everything, so it doesn't make a difference to me. People can play games how they like, in whatever way they find fun.)

MeechMunchie · #**122** 04-05-2014, 04:43 PM

Sorry, I was probably tired.

You went on about how the old system made you feel more justified about the rewards you got. I think I just took fault with the idea of being proud of repeating something until you get lucky. But, as you say, different playstyles for different people - my mindset bars me out of enjoying pretty much every MMO ever created.

That, and calling good design a "compromise". I don't believe there's any balance to strike between fairness and unfairness. Games can and should be hard and fair. I stand by my point that the new system encourages experimentation, too.

Mr. Bungle · #**123** 04-25-2014, 05:33 AM

So recently, and thanks to the almighty Twitch Plays Pokemon stream, I got back into Pokemon. Hard. Played through virtually all the main generations up to and including Fire Red and have been having a hell of a time. Even dipped my toes in a few romhacks. It seems so much deeper and enjoyable than it did when I was a child I'm seeing so many new strategies and combinations that were in the dark for me when I was just a dumb kid.

But the one thing I definitely noticed was that the games were, well, a bit too easy. Sure, it's fun, but the light layer of challenge (if there ever was one) wears off pretty damn quickly. So, I decided to take on the legendary "Nuzlocke Challenge". I'm sure a lot of you know about this challenge but if you don't, check this out.

and my god, is it fun. AND challenging at the same time. Having limited Pokemon to use, and needing to be EXTRA strategic in order to keep your bros alive really brings out the depth of the Pokemon battle and typing systems. I swear, it's been one of the most engaging experiences I've had with a video game. Emotional, too. The heartbreak I felt when I lost my Pidgeotto to a goddamn Farfetch'd, the trauma received when Snorlax got Submissioned into... well, submission, and the strain on my mind when my Beedrill Ned got body slammed way down and hung on with 1 HP (like a boss)... it's always so terrifying, yet exhilarating.

I'm right before the Elite Four now, not sure if I'm ready though. My main team is all level 50-52, and I've given them all the buffing hold items they could possibly have, plus lots of protein, etc, and great movesets. But I'm still not sure if I'm ready... might go for a practice run type thing but that might be a bit cheaterish. I dunno.

Well, regardless I'm really stoked to Nuzlocke a few more Pokemon games. I get why this challenge is so popular now. Never thought Pokemon could be this satisfying.

oh, and if anyone knows any sweet Pokemon romhacks that are worth playing, let me know. I've only gone through Liquid Crystal so far, really dug that one though.

Crashpunk · #**124** 05-01-2014, 02:14 AM

Started playing Crash 3 for my channel

I'm also playing though Dragon Quest 9 on the DS and just finished InFamous: Second Son. A essential game if you own a PS4.

OANST · #**125** 05-02-2014, 09:02 AM

I finished dicking around with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons the other day. It's an interesting game Kind of sad. Kind of fun. It's not very deep, or long, and it obviously takes a lot of its ideas from Ico, but it doesn't do it in a way that feels like theft. More like inspiration.

I also just started playing Child of Light, and that game is fucking amazing. I'm terrified that it's going to end up being kind of short, because I just don't want it to end. I've already decided that the next time I play it, I'm just going to grind experience for a while so that I don't have to get any closer to ending the game. It's beautiful, the battle system is just complicated enough to make you think about what you're doing, and simple enough to make that thinking seem effortless. I really just love everything about it so far. Except maybe the crafting of gems to put on equipment, which is really fine. I've just never liked crafting in any game, and I don't really have an explanation of why. I just find that tedious.

Anyway, get Child of Light. You really, really should.

Job McYossie · #**126** 05-02-2014, 02:36 PM

After that sale on GOG for Ubisoft, I'm going to finally play farcry. I also got Beyond Good & Evil. Had That game as a kid, and remember it being great.

***Nate*** · #**127** 05-02-2014, 05:56 PM

:

After that sale on GOG for Ubisoft, I'm going to finally play farcry. I also got Beyond Good & Evil. Had That game as a kid, and remember it being great.

I'm told that the controls are kinda broken on PC, even if you're using a controller. Be warned.

Job McYossie · #**128** 05-02-2014, 07:26 PM

If they are, I'll plug in my ps3 controller, thanks for the warning though.

OANST · #**129** 05-03-2014, 07:16 AM

Even if you're using a controller......

STM · #**130** 05-03-2014, 09:27 AM

I'm playing Wasteland I right now, need some more of that game in my life. Hated it first and thought I'd never play it again but gave it a 2nd chance and fell in love. Just gotta use your imagination a bit and take it for what it is.

Varrok · #**131** 05-03-2014, 10:15 AM

:

Even if you're using a controller......

That's why he'll plug his PS3 controller in, silly. He's just told you that.

Wasteland is a fucking great game. I haven't completed it yet, though.

Job McYossie · #**132** 05-03-2014, 03:27 PM

So I played a little bit for Far Cry, game has a lot I don't like about it. Overall it's alright I guess. I stopped when the game give you a hang-glider to use, and if you take it, a helicopter spots you in less than 5 seconds after beginning the flight. It seems like the game punishes you for wanting to actually have fun.

Beyond Good & Evil is even better than I remembered it. When I first launched it, there were graphical glitches everywhere, but after turning off every compatibility option, it runs fine. I don't understand why people would say the controls are bad, I never had to get the controller because the game plays so well without. The only control that is bad is occasionally the camera (which is controlled with the mouse) will bug out and just start spinning fast. Usually can be fixed by running or boosting forward. Other than that, the platforming is great, the camera is WAY easier to use with mouse aim instead of analog stick, and combat is still very ornate.

Oh, and the story is great, that doesn't change in the transfer to PC.

MeechMunchie · #**133** 05-03-2014, 05:59 PM

The single best thing in that game is when your photos turn up in radical news bulletins. Nothing feels more badass than kickstarting a revolution through agressive nonviolence.

Job McYossie · #**134** 05-03-2014, 09:32 PM

I never beat this game as a kid, I always stopped as soon as there were stealth elements. Little did I realize that was half the premise of the game. I don't mind now, I can actually do it.

:

The single best thing in that game is when your photos turn up in radical news bulletins. Nothing feels more badass than kickstarting a revolution through agressive nonviolence.

I thought it was really cool seeing my photos actually show up in the news later, considering when this came out.

Mr. Bungle · #**135** 05-04-2014, 03:51 AM

just finished up BioShock Infinite a few minutes ago

need to collect some thoughts

will report back

best game I've ever played maybe?

dang

OANST · #**136** 05-04-2014, 05:02 PM

Follow up on Child of Light: I'm towards the end of the game now, and I still really like it, but there are a few problems. Nothing too major, but a couple things that kind of take you out of the moment. One, all the characters speak in rhyme, which can get a little tedious. It's difficult to establish any kind of connection to the characters since they all speak this way, and most of it isn't exactly... well... inspired. The writing isn't bad, but it also isn't good enough to warrant writing the entire game this way. The second problem is the bigger one. Leveling up is awful. The actual act of leveling up is fine. There are multiple skill paths to choose from, and you get one skill point to assign every time you level up. The problem is that by the time you're half way through the game at least two or three of your characters are going to level up EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU FIGHT. This is not an exaggeration. I've even tried grinding. It doesn't matter. You're going to spend so much time looking at that skill tree that any enjoyment you may have gotten from leveling up will be completely erased. I now sigh every time I level up instead of being happy about it. They could have made it take twice as much experience to gain a level and you would still be doing it too often. It's still a really great game. It just has a few problems.

DarkHoodness · #**137** 05-06-2014, 08:15 AM

People who like FTL or haven't played it in a while should consider trying the Captain's Edition mod. It's still being actively worked on and recently incorporated Advanced Edition's features. It adds a whole new level of diversity to the game (new weapons, enemies, sectors, events, crew skins, other features such as trading, better augments).

The optional Infinite sub-mod adds more sectors that the player can choose to traverse through for as long as they want before progressing (the rebel fleet still chases you, but you get a 5 jump head-start at each sector, and many events can double or triple their advancement), with the trade-off that systems take a lot more scrap to upgrade and buy from stores. The Endless Loot sub-mod gives the game even more diversity by offering weapons with random stats.

I also built a working monorail in Space Engineers. It got noticed (850+ subscribers, 2000+ views) 'cause the game's half-baked mechanics are really restrictive, and I'm one of the few people who was bored enough to somehow manage to make something like this work. Yay. How geeky.

STM · #**138** 05-07-2014, 05:12 PM

Fucking Victoria II

I am absolutely obsessed with this game at the moment. Managed to clock up about 58 hours of play time thus far, I'm just utterly entranced with the concept of romping your way across the world taking swathes of the globe for your own Empire.

By far the most successful game I've played was with China who start the game with a piddling economy but the largest standing army possible, any way I took them from their 1836 boundaries (which is modern China + Mongolia) and ended up with this:

Varrok · #**139** 05-07-2014, 11:28 PM

Whoa, that's a lot of black in Africa

Vyrien · #**140** 05-08-2014, 06:24 AM

You generally do find a lot of black in Africa.

Wings of Fire · #**141** 05-08-2014, 09:07 AM

I could have made a better(?) more offensive joke. I just chose not to.

Varrok · #**142** 05-08-2014, 09:28 AM

STM · #**143** 05-08-2014, 10:18 AM

Because I'm black.

Wings of Fire · #**144** 05-08-2014, 11:19 AM

And a spic.

A black spic. The worst kind.

STM · #**145** 05-08-2014, 12:54 PM

Wow, Joe. Wow.

Vyrien · #**146** 05-08-2014, 01:05 PM

Trigger warning: so much white privilege.

MeechMunchie · #**147** 05-08-2014, 01:42 PM

#outrage

Varrok · #**148** 05-08-2014, 01:54 PM

Ontopic:
I've completed Dark Souls. The game isn't really that hard, unfortunately. Gonna play Demon's Souls soon.

Vyrien · #**149** 05-08-2014, 02:10 PM

At risk of sounding like one of those smug Dark Souls cunts; it's challenging, not hard. If you just rush in like an idiot, swords swinging, you will die. The game encourages patience which is often disregarded in AAA modern games.

STM · #**150** 05-08-2014, 03:12 PM

:

At risk of sounding like one of those smug Dark Souls cunts; it's challenging, not hard. If you just rush in like an idiot, swords swinging, you will die. The game encourages patience which is often disregarded in AAA modern games.

That's nothing like how I play at all.

Right?