OT: General Video Game Discussion IX

[Jbcraig1883]

As I said earlier in this thread, when playing BG3, I've found the most enjoyment by not save scumming and just letting go. Be your character, flaws and all, and it's super fun. They seemed to design the game (act 1 at the very least) with failure in mind, so that it's not a bad thing to fail rolls. Sometimes it's a hilarious thing. I've made out with a mind flayer to death, and lost an eye to dubious surgery practices. My character is not wise.

I should've listened, haha. I was doing great until a day or two ago, but then realized I wasn't enjoying myself...will do that for the rest.

 

[Sad People]

I know I am late on BG3 but I just finished ACT 1. I really enjoyed it up until I started to try to 100% everything. Then it became a bit too tedious looting, making sure I passed all the checks when conversing with certain NPCs, etc. I think I need to just play the game freely without looking at any guides if I get stuck, and not try to perfect it.

For season 2 of D4, I think I am going to give it another go since they say they are changing quite a bit. The itemization is still an issue but it looks like a lot of moves in the right direction.

As I said earlier in this thread, when playing BG3, I've found the most enjoyment by not save scumming and just letting go. Be your character, flaws and all, and it's super fun. They seemed to design the game (act 1 at the very least) with failure in mind, so that it's not a bad thing to fail rolls. Sometimes it's a hilarious thing. I've made out with a mind flayer to death, and lost an eye to dubious surgery practices. My character is not wise.

Have either you had experience in playing D&D before playing this game? I plan on playing it sometime but i wanna finish up Hogwarts Legacy and give Elden Ring a shot finally before diving into BG3. Ive heard BG3 can be a bit overwhelming or even complicated if you havent had any experience in D&D and just wanted yalls opinion? It is a hard game or an overwhelming game to get into blindly?

Also thinking about going back to D4 as well. It seems like theyve mad a TON of good changes to the game.

 

[BagHead]

Have either you had experience in playing D&D before playing this game? I plan on playing it sometime but i wanna finish up Hogwarts Legacy and give Elden Ring a shot finally before diving into BG3. Ive heard BG3 can be a bit overwhelming or even complicated if you havent had any experience in D&D and just wanted yalls opinion? It is a hard game or an overwhelming game to get into blindly?

Also thinking about going back to D4 as well. It seems like theyve mad a TON of good changes to the game.

I started playing D&D 5e on Roll20.net once per week during covid with some friends. Just about to finish up our second campaign next Wednesday, actually.

My experience with 5e definitely helped in BG3, I had only a small learning curve, but I think they present the systems in a very easy to learn manner. There's no big tutorial where you need to remember tons of stuff all at once, instead you can hit the examine button (T on keyboard) any time you want to learn about something you see. It makes for a pretty evenly paced learning experience, where you just learn as you go. It lets you sink your hands into it and learn that way.

It also helps that 5e is very modern in its systems approach vs. something like 2e, that the original Baldur's Gate games were released using, which was very counterintuitive, even for its time.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Have either you had experience in playing D&D before playing this game? I plan on playing it sometime but i wanna finish up Hogwarts Legacy and give Elden Ring a shot finally before diving into BG3. Ive heard BG3 can be a bit overwhelming or even complicated if you havent had any experience in D&D and just wanted yalls opinion? It is a hard game or an overwhelming game to get into blindly?

Also thinking about going back to D4 as well. It seems like theyve mad a TON of good changes to the game.

I have never played D&D. I don't think you need to if you have played any sort of RPG, particularly ones that have turn based (might be old games but Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic or Dragon Age) in them. Character/class building is much more deep than those games, and the rolling of dice for everything is different, but fairly easy to learn.

I started on the easiest mode but after a few hours switched it to the middle one. I do recommend the advice from BagHead to me, enjoy the experience and don't try to loot everything, find every corner, make no mistakes in conversations, etc. One thing I will say is there is a way to respec your character if you feel you messed up or want to try something different...but it does involve finding someone and treating that engagement in a certain way.

 

[AKL]

Have either you had experience in playing D&D before playing this game? I plan on playing it sometime but i wanna finish up Hogwarts Legacy and give Elden Ring a shot finally before diving into BG3. Ive heard BG3 can be a bit overwhelming or even complicated if you havent had any experience in D&D and just wanted yalls opinion? It is a hard game or an overwhelming game to get into blindly?

Also thinking about going back to D4 as well. It seems like theyve mad a TON of good changes to the game.

I had never played any kind of D&D or anything similar to this prior to trying BG3, and while I am enjoying it so far, I feel like there are times where I don't even know what I don't even know. I don't think I'd call it "overwhelming", cause I'm just rolling with the punches and doing what I think is best as I go, but I definitely feel like there are strategies and metas and opportunities that I'm just not privy to. I don't think it's taking away from my enjoyment of the game, though.

 

[Sad People]

Sweet thanks fellas. I look forward to giving it a go at some point theres just some other games i wanna finish before. Ive heard nothing but good things about it and probably the GOTY if Tears of the Kingdom doesnt beat it out.

If any of yall like turn based RPGs, King Arthur: Knights Tale seems to be a really really good one. I watched a streamer play it and really enjoyed it as a viewing experience and look forward to eventually playing it as well.

 

[Wabit]

I really need to save up a couple k and build a new rig. I can't play these new games on my current pc. =(

 

[Circulartheory]

I had never played any kind of D&D or anything similar to this prior to trying BG3, and while I am enjoying it so far, I feel like there are times where I don't even know what I don't even know. I don't think I'd call it "overwhelming", cause I'm just rolling with the punches and doing what I think is best as I go, but I definitely feel like there are strategies and metas and opportunities that I'm just not privy to. I don't think it's taking away from my enjoyment of the game, though.

I've stop playing almost immediately bc I felt overwhelmed. I've never played DnD and I just can't tell the difference between the basic skills and feel like I'm missing out on a huge part of the fun in strategies.

But this really isn't a knock on BG3 - I just have limited time to play and I've got commitments on POE and LoL hah!

 

[Wabit]

I've stop playing almost immediately bc I felt overwhelmed. I've never played DnD and I just can't tell the difference between the basic skills and feel like I'm missing out on a huge part of the fun in strategies.

But this really isn't a knock on BG3 - I just have limited time to play and I've got commitments on POE and LoL hah!

The advice I'll give is just run a balanced character with the stats if you don't know what you're doing for a game. It's the default "human" settings for most rpg games. You'll learn the most of the mechanics as you just play the game. You won't have an overpowered character, but you also won't have a gimp toon.

Reroll after you get the understanding of how the stats impact things after leveling up a few times. Or go start a new toon and go all munchkin with it.

 

[BagHead]

Sweet thanks fellas. I look forward to giving it a go at some point theres just some other games i wanna finish before. Ive heard nothing but good things about it and probably the GOTY if Tears of the Kingdom doesnt beat it out.

If any of yall like turn based RPGs, King Arthur: Knights Tale seems to be a really really good one. I watched a streamer play it and really enjoyed it as a viewing experience and look forward to eventually playing it as well.

Good to hear. I played King Arthur - the Roleplaying War Game, by the same developers, and found it an uneven game, where the early game was fantastic, but the game became unwinnable if you don't build your armies exactly right due to scripted events. Never did beat that game, got mad that I'd lost something like 70 hours of my time. I'd hoped back then that they'd learn from that mistake and make stronger games in the future, because they clearly have some good ideas. Glad they have.

 

[Sad People]

Good to hear. I played King Arthur - the Roleplaying War Game, by the same developers, and found it an uneven game, where the early game was fantastic, but the game became unwinnable if you don't build your armies exactly right due to scripted events. Never did beat that game, got mad that I'd lost something like 70 hours of my time. I'd hoped back then that they'd learn from that mistake and make stronger games in the future, because they clearly have some good ideas. Glad they have.

Just to make sure were talking about the same game here?

 

[Jbcraig1883]

I really need to save up a couple k and build a new rig. I can't play these new games on my current pc. =(

This is what led me back to gaming, haha. My last PC was built in 2013 and was fairly budget...this one I sank 2k into and am making sure I get my money's worth.

 

[BagHead]

Just to make sure were talking about the same game here?

Yep, we are. One of their first games (back in 2009) was King Arthur: the Roleplaying War Game, a 4X, RTS, role playing game hybrid. Really interesting, really cool design, really poorly executed. I'm glad to hear their newest venture (King Arthur: Knight's Tale) is good. They seem to like doing really weird genre mashups, and I love that.

 

[Sad People]

Yep, we are. One of their first games (back in 2009) was King Arthur: the Roleplaying War Game, a 4X, RTS, role playing game hybrid. Really interesting, really cool design, really poorly executed. I'm glad to hear their newest venture (King Arthur: Knight's Tale) is good. They seem to like doing really weird genre mashups, and I love that.

Ahh ok my bad. Im realizing now i just misunderstood what you were saying so thats on me. When i was watching it seemed like a really rad game. You have a home base (camelot i believe) where you can train some people you pickup along the way, if one of your toons like lancelot gets too injured you gotta put them in the hospital for a certain amount of time until theyre healthy enough and a few other things that i cant really remember, been awhile.

If you dig this genre of game you might really enjoy this one



Ive heard nothing but good things about it and i think it went to 1.0 recently.

 

[BagHead]

Ahh ok my bad. Im realizing now i just misunderstood what you were saying so thats on me. When i was watching it seemed like a really rad game. You have a home base (camelot i believe) where you can train some people you pickup along the way, if one of your toons like lancelot gets too injured you gotta put them in the hospital for a certain amount of time until theyre healthy enough and a few other things that i cant really remember, been awhile.

If you dig this genre of game you might really enjoy this one



Ive heard nothing but good things about it and i think it went to 1.0 recently.

Looking at it, it reminds me of the Expeditions series a bit. The only one of those I played was Conquistador, but I enjoyed it. I'll look into it, thanks!

 

[Sad People]

Looking at it, it reminds me of the Expeditions series a bit. The only one of those I played was Conquistador, but I enjoyed it. I'll look into it, thanks!

Really cool and in depth game from what ive seen.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Still slowly working through BG3 (I mean SLOWLY, still on Act 1) but I've also been splitting time with FF16. I was a bit negative the first time I started this game, but on 2nd try I'm really digging it. I hate the button mashing combat, would always prefer turn based but would even settle with FF7 remake combat, but the story, the music, the visuals... it's pretty good. I'm all for an adult oriented FF

 

[Sad People]

Well i finally finished Hogwarts Legacy. Overall id say it was a good game, i could tell towards the end though i was getting a little inpatient and found myself wanting to finish it. I started losing some interest towards the end because of how badly this game was written, its my biggest complaint or critique about it. If this game truly had an amazing story/ good writing it would be so good and would probably give it a 8/9 outta 10 but since it stunk id rate it a 6 or a 7 but would lean towards a 7 more than a 6.

Graphics, music, atmosphere all top notch and feel like im under selling it a bit especially the music. You also got a lot of bang for your buck with just a SP game, think i finished at around 40 ish hours when a lot of SP games are like 8--10.

Combat was satisfying but found myself getting a little bored of it towards the end.

Story as i previously mentioned was its biggest weakness. Hate how your character was like a knight in shining armor. "oh this grown up has a problem?" Not to worry this measly 5th year student whos a kid can help solve all your problems and it felt that way with every single quest/ side quest or interaction. Someone described the main character as someone who doesnt have any personality and i thought they hit the nail on the head with that.

 

[TaLoN]

Well i finally finished Hogwarts Legacy. Overall id say it was a good game, i could tell towards the end though i was getting a little inpatient and found myself wanting to finish it. I started losing some interest towards the end because of how badly this game was written, its my biggest complaint or critique about it. If this game truly had an amazing story/ good writing it would be so good and would probably give it a 8/9 outta 10 but since it stunk id rate it a 6 or a 7 but would lean towards a 7 more than a 6.

Graphics, music, atmosphere all top notch and feel like im under selling it a bit especially the music. You also got a lot of bang for your buck with just a SP game, think i finished at around 40 ish hours when a lot of SP games are like 8--10.

Combat was satisfying but found myself getting a little bored of it towards the end.

Story as i previously mentioned was its biggest weakness. Hate how your character was like a knight in shining armor. "oh this grown up has a problem?" Not to worry this measly 5th year student whos a kid can help solve all your problems and it felt that way with every single quest/ side quest or interaction. Someone described the main character as someone who doesnt have any personality and i thought they hit the nail on the head with that.

Terrible writing is a game killer to me. Good to know that I shouldn't waste my time.
Great writing can make a game that is less technically sound, playable. See Star Trek Resurgence as a good example of that. Technically... it's like WTF? The graphics look downright bad overall... but the story is so well written, I can overlook the flaws.

 

[Minnewildsota]

Terrible writing is a game killer to me. Good to know that I shouldn't waste my time.
Great writing can make a game that is less technically sound, playable. See Star Trek Resurgence as a good example of that. Technically... it's like WTF? The graphics look downright bad overall... but the story is so well written, I can overlook the flaws.

Or replaying FF7 Original. The graphics are just shit, compared to todays standards, but god damn is that storyline good.

 

[Sad People]

Terrible writing is a game killer to me. Good to know that I shouldn't waste my time.
Great writing can make a game that is less technically sound, playable. See Star Trek Resurgence as a good example of that. Technically... it's like WTF? The graphics look downright bad overall... but the story is so well written, I can overlook the flaws.

Id say give it a shot if youre a fan of HP because it is a good game just not a great game because of the writing. Maybe wait for a sale. Because the game does have some really good things going for it and some fantastic bright spots. But if a bad story really is a big no no for you id say pass on it.

You want a game that has a ridiculously good story and is written flawlessly go ahead and get Hellblade: Senuas Sacrifice. By far the best game ive ever played in the 2+ decades thats ive been playing them and its not even close.

I get goosebumps when i think of this game.



Games usually dont leave any sort of lasting affect or have a lasting affect on me after i finish them but Hellblase has. Such a beautiful game with such a deep and beautiful meaning behind it.

 

[AKL]

@Sad People would you say the story was bad, or was it just kinda bland and/or generic? I have a pretty low bar when it comes to stuff like that. Most movies I see are either "yeah I enjoyed that movie" or "no I didn't enjoy that movie" rather than thinking too much about the quality of the story. Same way with video games. A game can have a bland story but if the world feels immersive and fun I'll still thoroughly enjoy it.

 

[Sad People]

@Sad People would you say the story was bad, or was it just kinda bland and/or generic? I have a pretty low bar when it comes to stuff like that. Most movies I see are either "yeah I enjoyed that movie" or "no I didn't enjoy that movie" rather than thinking too much about the quality of the story. Same way with video games. A game can have a bland story but if the world feels immersive and fun I'll still thoroughly enjoy it.

For me in this particular case id say both those things apply here.

Im not trying to come across that i didnt enjoy the game because i did but it just really lacked in the terms of story and writing and it took away from the experience a bit. Like i mentioned id give it an 8 or a 9 if it had a good story but it didnt so i gave it a 6 or a 7.

 

[AKL]

For me in this particular case id say both those things apply here.

Im not trying to come across that i didnt enjoy the game because i did but it just really lacked in the terms of story and writing and it took away from the experience a bit. Like i mentioned id give it an 8 or a 9 if it had a good story but it didnt so i gave it a 6 or a 7.

Yeah I get it, I'd agree with the criticism of the story. I thought it was kinda generic. I was just genuinely was curious if there was an aspect or two you would say are downright bad. I guess I kinda expected the main character to be this 'savior/knight in shining armor/all-powerful' type, only because that's what Harry Potter was at its core. This random kid saved by the power of love who was the only one who could defeat the big bad guy.

There were also some parts when I was playing where I noticed they could have just done a lot more to increase the fun (I say this as someone who has 100+ hours in the game and almost 100% trophy completion on PS5, so I still had fun). Added features, more variety in activities, more ways to interact with the world, etc.

Part of me hopes this was their "practice run" to see how successful a game like this could be, and now that they have this experience under their belt, they'll turn it up several notches for the sequel. I think I've heard before that sales and popularity of this far exceeded even their own expectations for it. Hopefully they take that money and invest it into improving on the foundation here.

 

[Sad People]

Yeah I get it, I'd agree with the criticism of the story. I thought it was kinda generic. I was just genuinely was curious if there was an aspect or two you would say are downright bad. I guess I kinda expected the main character to be this 'savior/knight in shining armor/all-powerful' type, only because that's what Harry Potter was at its core. This random kid saved by the power of love who was the only one who could defeat the big bad guy.

There were also some parts when I was playing where I noticed they could have just done a lot more to increase the fun (I say this as someone who has 100+ hours in the game and almost 100% trophy completion on PS5, so I still had fun). Added features, more variety in activities, more ways to interact with the world, etc.

Part of me hopes this was their "practice run" to see how successful a game like this could be, and now that they have this experience under their belt, they'll turn it up several notches for the sequel. I think I've heard before that sales and popularity of this far exceeded even their own expectations for it. Hopefully they take that money and invest it into improving on the foundation here.

The fact that you can use unforgivable curses and have it not effect the story what so ever is bad writing to me. If you choose to go down that path it should change the outcome of the story or your character significantly but it doesnt. You bet your *** that i turned Sebastian in hahaha. PS i could maybe think he could be an antagonist in the sequel or a DLC if they ever decide to go down that route, which they should. Dialogue as well between NPCs and main characters was poor as well and im someone who sat and watched and listened to every bit of dialogue.

Your last paragraph i agree with you 100%. And fully expect them to bring it to another level with their sequel. Its a billion dollar game which is ridiculous when you think about it and speaks for itself. Wildly successful and will probably be one of the finalists for GOTY. I dont think it will win because i think that belongs to either BG3 or Tears of the Kingdom though.