What game are you playing?

[TheGSMoeller]

Sea of Thieves is a simple, but very enjoyable MMO I play with my son and a few buddies.
Ghosts of Tsushima is a beautiful, and violent game. The graphics and game play are phenomenal, and the little details and moments such as stopping in a peaceful spot to reflect and compose a haiku add to the high-level character interaction that the player gets to experience. 

[greg]

I might have to try Ghost of Tsushima eventually, I anticipate it will be a great experience.
But when I get a PS5, my first game will probably be Ghostwire: Tokyo- aesthetically/visually that game to me is possibly #1 just based on what I'm seeing. Tokyo + surrealism is exactly what I want to see.


I just had a random thought about games.
So I was trying to figure out why I don't really like challenge in games much, but I LOVE it when playing a musical instrument, how to put it in words why that is.
I know exactly why now, there are exactly two reasons why:

1) tedious trial and error.
With music, you can isolate the difficult parts. With games, you have to start over from the beginning every single time (boss fights, for example). Imagine how tedious it would be if to learn a four minute song you had to start over from the very beginning every single time. I'd probably quit music at that point. 


2) non-replayability.
When I learn a difficult skill, the point is to enjoy the rich complexity that it provides. I don't want to abandon it, I want to revisit from time to time. However, most games don't offer the easy access to replay a boss. So what's the point, unless you play through it multiple times in a short time period (when memory is fresh)? I'm not going to replay a 20-50 hour game right when I finish it, I'm ready to move on. Would be nice if games offered a boss selection screen so that you if you have 20 minutes to burn before bedtime, you can just turn on a game and revisit a boss and take it down better each time, refining your accuracy.


I wonder if there are any (single player) games where those two are not really a problem. If not, then I guess I'll continue to only play games on either easy or medium difficulty (with rare hard mode exceptions).

[greg]

Finished Metal Gear Solid 2 just now.

Weird to watch the ending, considering the game was from 2001. The themes very much feel like they should be from 2021.

Other people have noticed that, if you do a search. Mainly about AI censorship and control of information to create mainstream narratives. I don't remember any of that being a concern all the way back in 2000/2001 when the internet was just starting to be adopted, it really feels like Kojima was looking into the future.

Ok, on to #3 now.

[greg]

I wonder if there are any (single player) games where those two are not really a problem.

To answer my own question, probably FF7 remake is a good example. For replayability, there has to be segments that are short (~ <= 2 hours). You can sit down during one single late night evening and replay a single chapter from the chapter select and be done with it. I actually WILL replay this game on hard mode, I feel like it's worth it even if it didn't have trophies for it, and this is a big reason why.

(FF14 is an example of a multiplayer game where you can just back and fight the same bosses, as with any other MMORPG)

So I looked it up, Elden Ring does NOT have a chapter select. This is an example of what I'm talking about when I don't understand game difficulty. People report spending over 50 times attempting the same boss battle, but once it's done, they can't immediately replay it in the same or harder difficulty. They have to play the game over again, which is like 50-100 hours. So what is even the point of experiencing that much frustration throughout the game? There's plenty of other open world games with a great experience that you can play that aren't so frustrating. And there's other games (like FF7 remake) where you can repeat the enjoyment of boss fights quickly without having to replay the entire game again.

It almost seems like people either 1) have WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more patience than me, or 2) enjoy these types of games purely as achievement-seeking, for some reason I don't understand valuing the achievement itself so much that fun doesn't matter (like compensating for lack of achievement in their personal life).

[Mirror Image]

Talking to yourself again I see, Greg.

In other news...

I've almost finished Kirby and the Forgotten Land for Nintendo Switch. I'm now going to give this game a rating of 10/10. I don't allot such a high rating to video games very often and this is only because I'm picky and extremely critical of how a game plays and feels. Of course, fun factor and replay value are also incredibly important. I feel this new Kirby game is a step-up in the right direction for this particular franchise. It's often said that the first game is the best in terms of originating a style, but I'm hoping subsequent 3D platformer Kirby games are created and continue this creative direction.

[greg]

Talking to yourself again I see, Greg.

You into any difficult games or have played MGS?
I might have to ask someone that's into the Dark Souls games why they like that sort of difficulty- actually my friend here is an example, might have to check sometime (he even platinumed the first two games).

I've almost finished Kirby and the Forgotten Land for Nintendo Switch. I'm now going to give this game a rating of 10/10. I don't allot such a high rating to video games very often and this is only because I'm picky and extremely critical of how a game plays and feels. Of course, fun factor and replay value are also incredibly important. I feel this new Kirby game is a step-up in the right direction for this particular franchise. It's often said that the first game is the best in terms of originating a style, but I'm hoping subsequent 3D platformer Kirby games are created and continue this creative direction.

Nice. I used to play the first one a lot back ~20+ years ago. Recently bought a used copy of the original game along with the second game for use in my GBA.

Platformers are kind of a "mid" genre to me, they're great as a sort of way to distract in-between any major JRPG titles.

I guess you could say Mirror's Edge is a platformer, but being first person and mostly about keeping momentum, gives it a waaaaaay different feel. It's almost like a fusion between a racing game and a platformer, resulting in something that is more fun than both. The need to conserve speed, mixed with the quick reaction timing needed, makes it feel more like playing an instrument than other games.

#1 and #2 biggests misfortunes for gaming in the future would be to me is if they #1 screw up or don't do the Final Fantasy remakes, and #2 if they don't make any more games like Mirror's Edge.

[Mirror Image]

You into any difficult games or have played MGS?
I might have to ask someone that's into the Dark Souls games why they like that sort of difficulty- actually my friend here is an example, might have to check sometime (he even platinumed the first two games).



Nice. I used to play the first one a lot back ~20+ years ago. Recently bought a used copy of the original game along with the second game for use in my GBA.

Platformers are kind of a "mid" genre to me, they're great as a sort of way to distract in-between any major JRPG titles.

I guess you could say Mirror's Edge is a platformer, but being first person and mostly about keeping momentum, gives it a waaaaaay different feel. It's almost like a fusion between a racing game and a platformer, resulting in something that is more fun than both. The need to conserve speed, mixed with the quick reaction timing needed, makes it feel more like playing an instrument than other games.

#1 and #2 biggests misfortunes for gaming in the future would be to me is if they #1 screw up or don't do the Final Fantasy remakes, and #2 if they don't make any more games like Mirror's Edge.

I remember getting into Metal Gear Solid back in the days of the first Playstation, but that was about it. I never got into the other ones for the later PS consoles. Honestly, I'm more into Nintendo, but there have been a few PS exclusive games that have impressed me: Shadow of the Colossus (esp. the new remaster of it on PS4), Crash Bandicoot (I still need to get around to playing the latest installment to this series), Marvel's Spider-Man, Grand Theft Audio V, Horizon Zero Dawn, Batman: Arkham City and the Uncharted series. I never have liked any first-person shooter games as I don't like that particular viewpoint in a game. Anyway, I seldom play my PS4 and continue to play my Nintendo a good bit.

[greg]

Crash Bandicoot (I still need to get around to playing the latest installment to this series)

Me too! Was just watching gameplay yesterday, played the N.Sane Trilogy back a few years ago so all caught up and ready, just haven't gotten around to it.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Great game, though I don't care much to play the new one. Coolest things: the big story twist/reveal near the end, the cauldrons (dungeons), and a personal favorite: sneaking up behind people and slitting their throat, makes me laugh every time. 

I never have liked any first-person shooter games as I don't like that particular viewpoint in a game.

Interesting.
The camera angle I don't care for is top-down for anything RPG-like, for example Hades/Diablo 3/etc.- though it is totally necessary if you are playing something like an SRPG like Fire Emblem or turn-based strategy like Civilization.
It's more like, watching the gameplay of those types of games make me want to play a game that is a typical third or first person... something about playing as a character is more fun that managing a bunch of stuff. Although the management can be fun sometimes- I don't dislike it at all, just not my favorite.

[greg]

Watched the State of Play, super excited about Resident Evil 4 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 coming out next year.
(16 is "basically done" but they are taking a TON of time to polish and perfect everything).

FF16 graphics looking jaw-dropping, seems this game will have an extremely dark tone and also be mostly a single character (no party members), which is a huge difference from most of the games in the series. And looks open world-ish, so it seems more Elden Ring-style.

But the odds of it being a masterpiece are extremely high. The last true single player entry in the series that was a true masterpiece was 10, back 21 years ago. Although the MMO releases have been successful (11 and 14), the single player games have had so many issues (even if there is a lot to love), the series just sort of fell off a cliff after 10.

RE 4 remake I'm just wondering what in the world they are doing to make what is widely considered one of the greatest games of all time, even better.

[Mirror Image]

RE 4 remake I'm just wondering what in the world they are doing to make what is widely considered one of the greatest games of all time, even better.

Not one of the greatest games of all-time for me. For others, perhaps.

[greg]

Not one of the greatest games of all-time for me. For others, perhaps.

I go by this list still, seems the best one to use:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/rankings

RE4 is #17. There is a game I feel similarly to on this list, I disagree with the popular opinion: #14, Xenoblade Chronicles. Everything about the game on paper is something I'd love. I played the entire thing (extremely long game), and nope, not a fan.

Actually... just noticed MGS 3 is #5. Wow... still playing that one, super enjoyable game and my favorite out of the first three.

[Mirror Image]

I go by this list still, seems the best one to use:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/games/rankings

RE4 is #17. There is a game I feel similarly to on this list, I disagree with the popular opinion: #14, Xenoblade Chronicles. Everything about the game on paper is something I'd love. I played the entire thing (extremely long game), and nope, not a fan.

Actually... just noticed MGS 3 is #5. Wow... still playing that one, super enjoyable game and my favorite out of the first three.

Interesting list. My "Top 3" video games of all-time would be in order: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Donkey Kong Country and Shadow of the Colossus. For me, it doesn't get any better than these games.

[LKB]

Has anyone played any of the incarnations of Witcher? I'm considering giving it a try, STO and D3 both seem a bit stale atm.

[DavidW]

Has anyone played any of the incarnations of Witcher?

I played all three.

Here are my impressions:

The Witcher: very rewarding when played correctly.  That is you have to spend time finding books on the monsters and then ACTUALLY READING the books.  And then preparing the potions and oils in advance which also involves meditation.  But if you do all that the bosses are significantly easier.  If you don't do that and hack and slash then the game is very difficult and frustrating.  Later in the game it can be annoying wandering around talking to everyone in the known universe trying to progress but given no direction.  So this is a challenging game.  There is no handholding, and as a result most people that start with the idea that they should experience the full trilogy just give up on this game and sometimes the franchise as a whole.  btw at launch it was pretty hard to run.  The controls with mashing the mouse button have not aged well.  Verdict: a cult classic but you still might want to skip it.

The Witcher 2: cdpr tried to make a game to release on both console and pc.  The result was a good pc game and a mediocre console port.  The controls are just too clunky and complex for a controller imo.  It is not as difficult to get into as the first game, but for some reason I never liked this game.  But if my description of the first one puts you off, maybe start here.  For some reason the tutorial is just awful and tries to get you to master all the mechanics at once which you absolutely do not need to do since most will not be unlocked until later.  Verdict: decent rpg, and not frustrating as long as you use quen frequently.  This game is good on the pc, I would still avoid it on console.

Witcher 3: is my favorite game of all time.  It is funny how far superior it is to the first two.  It has a taste of needing to do your research to be effective against monsters like in Witcher 1 but you can do it on the fly.  It is an open world game, where the first two are linear.  All the side quests are fantastic, featuring better writing than any other rpg out there and all the quests intersect in interesting ways.  Completing side quests and making dialogue choices have meaningful consequences to future quests and the world that you can't predict.  However, the main quest is "the princess is in another castle" repeated a million times, and is far weaker than the main quests in the previous games and the impressive expansion packs.  Verdict: if you play any of the three, just play this one.  You don't really need the story for the first two games, in fact it follows the books more anyway!  Also the game of the year edition of the Witcher 3 took me 150 hours to beat, which is greater than the first two combined.  Verdict: if you love single player rpgs, THIS IS IT.  Love it or hate it, you just to have play it.  Else you will be missing out on the most influential games of last gen.

So I rank them as Witcher 3 >> Witcher 1 > Witcher 2.

I recommend immediately playing the third one and then if you like it, then go back to the previous ones or read the short stories and novels.

[LKB]

Thanks DavidW, that's very helpful info. 

[greg]

"if you love single player rpgs, THIS IS IT."

It's certainly on my list of games to play, might be a couple of years before I get to it, though. The gameplay looks like a selling point.
Probably why I haven't tried it yet is due to the length mostly, but also the feeling about non-Japanese RPGs in general- that they just lack the charisma/charm/quirkiness. Not that I've played a ton of them, just from what I've played and my impression of other games that's how it seems to me.


Edit: and it's also the charcter designs. People look so ugly in Western RPGs. Might seem trivial, but if you can have some good looking ladies (or guys, for the ladies) that have a likeable personality, then memories of that game will stick because you will fantasize about meeting the characters years later. It becomes a little bit more than just a short-lived experience, that way.
(Not saying that's the only way, of course, to get it to stick in your mind, but it is one effective way).

[DavidW]

But Greg, these witches are so beautiful!

[LKB]

That one on the left... reminds me of one of my exes. 

[greg]

But Greg, these witches bog are so beautiful!

Omg, they should be marked NSFW, this level of arousal while in office should be illegal.

[DavidW]

Yeah who is your waifu now?