OT: General Video Game Discussion IX

[Minnewildsota]

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.

Well, the one thing (hope) the game has going for it is that it wasn't created by an AAA studio. If it were, they would just slap on some new skins and call it a game. Given that it was created by Avalanche, there's some hope that they will improve the gameplay instead of calling it good as is, because, you know, it made money.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm curious to see how Activation Blizzard changes, if at all, with the sale to Microsoft. It being under EA really stifled any new ground breaking developments. Honestly, their last few releases have been underwhelming:

Diablo Immortal - considered a failure, though it is bringing in a lot of money
Diablo 4 - underwhelming
Overwatch 2 - Considered a failure
Heroes of the Storm - I thought they stopped supporting or updating it for a while.
Hearthstone - Has fallen off the map AFAIK

I could go further in depth on the above but don't really feel the need.

They really haven't launched anything new in the Warcraft or Starcraft genres. Just wondering if they're shift focus to those IPs.

 

[Sad People]

Well, the one thing (hope) the game has going for it is that it wasn't created by an AAA studio. If it were, they would just slap on some new skins and call it a game. Given that it was created by Avalanche, there's some hope that they will improve the gameplay instead of calling it good as is, because, you know, it made money.

I honestly might be done with Triple A gaming for the most part. Cant believe theyre still making AC games, franchise should of died years ago imo and we are still getting reskinned/ amped up COD maps from like 15 years ago. The fact that COD "selling point" or "advertising point" for this past weekends open beta were maps like Rust, Favela, and Estate is bonkers to me.

 

[Minnewildsota]

I honestly might be done with Triple A gaming for the most part. Cant believe theyre still making AC games, franchise should of died years ago imo and we are still getting reskinned/ amped up COD maps from like 15 years ago. The fact that COD "selling point" or "advertising point" this past weekends open beta were maps like Rust, Favela, and Estate is bonkers to me.

I wouldn't say I'm done with AAA games, but there would have to be a serious draw for me to purchase one. Not only are the games essentially the same from version to version they are often released with tons of bugs.

I can understand an Indie game being released with bugs, but from an AAA studio? Completely unacceptable IMHO.

If I were to buy an AAA title, it will be month after release when the hype (one way or the other) dies down so you can get an accurate representation of the game, plus most of the bugs should be worked out by then.

Paying $15 to a team of 15 people and have bugs? Sure, I can live with that.

Paying $60 to a team on hundreds and have bugs? Get your shit together.

 

[Sad People]

I wouldn't say I'm done with AAA games, but there would have to be a serious draw for me to purchase one. Not only are the games essentially the same from version to version they are often released with tons of bugs.

I can understand an Indie game being released with bugs, but from an AAA studio? Completely unacceptable IMHO.

If I were to buy an AAA title, it will be month after release when the hype (one way or the other) dies down so you can get an accurate representation of the game, plus most of the bugs should be worked out by then.

Paying $15 to a team of 15 people and have bugs? Sure, I can live with that.

Paying $60 to a team on hundreds and have bugs? Get your shit together.

Good point in your first paragraph. Like is Ninja Theory considered a Triple A studio? Because if it is i lied in my statement because i cant wait for the 2nd Hellblade game thats currently in development. When i said that i guess i had the likes of Activision and Ubisoft in mind. Im done with their games for the most part unless there is a HUGE draw for me like you said.

In reality is takes a lot of time to dev a good game. and you need a lot more than a year to release good products and what you get when companies expect a yearly release. Look at BG3, it was in development for like 6 years and look at the product you get, An unbelievably good game thats nearly flawless. It was also in EA for like 3 years. A long time to get a lot of good info and bug fixes in the game.

 

[Sad People]

Finally starting my first play through of Elden Ring and tbh im pretty excited but also kinda nervous. haha. Ive never played a FromSoftware game before and only 1 souls like game and that was Fallen Order. Its considered souls like but probably the easiest in that genre and nowhere near as difficult as any FromSoftware game.

Ended up choosing Astronomer as my first class, I knew i wanted to use magic and such. Anyone have any xp with that specific class?

Anyone have any early game tips or things to get? Ive watched a few videos and they suggested i get a lamp somewhere in Limgrave, along with the summoning jelly. I havent fully decided if i wanna meta the game like that atleast at the start or what.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Finally starting my first play through of Elden Ring and tbh im pretty excited but also kinda nervous. haha. Ive never played a FromSoftware game before and only 1 souls like game and that was Fallen Order. Its considered souls like but probably the easiest in that genre and nowhere near as difficult as any FromSoftware game.

Ended up choosing Astronomer as my first class, I knew i wanted to use magic and such. Anyone have any xp with that specific class?

Anyone have any early game tips or things to get? Ive watched a few videos and they suggested i get a lamp somewhere in Limgrave, along with the summoning jelly. I havent fully decided if i wanna meta the game like that atleast at the start or what.

This advice can be applied to every souls game from Fromsoft... go in blind on your first playthrough. Don't Meta. Don't follow guides. It is so much more rewarding (albeit difficult).

Lamp can be purchased from a vendor. You'll get the jelly thru normal story (if you're exploring like you should be and revisiting some areas)

Edit. The game can be a little daunting. It's not easy (but I found it easier than previous games) and couple that with the sheer scope and size. Just take your time and explore. Lots to see! Also, read item descriptions, that's where you get a bulk of the story.

 

[Sad People]

This advice can be applied to every souls game from Fromsoft... go in blind on your first playthrough. Don't Meta. Don't follow guides. It is so much more rewarding (albeit difficult).

Lamp can be purchased from a vendor. You'll get the jelly thru normal story (if you're exploring like you should be and revisiting some areas)

Edit. The game can be a little daunting. It's not easy (but I found it easier than previous games) and couple that with the sheer scope and size. Just take your time and explore. Lots to see! Also, read item descriptions, that's where you get a bulk of the story.

Theres open world games and then there open world games like Elden Ring haha it is a bit daunting but im enjoying it. Im also playing on M&K so im making it even more difficult as well.

is it too much specing into Faith/ Arcane and Strength?

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Theres open world games and then there open world games like Elden Ring haha it is a bit daunting but im enjoying it. Im also playing on M&K so im making it even more difficult as well.

is it too much specing into Faith/ Arcane and Strength?

Imo... yes. Don't get me wrong, you can do it but you're not going to be that great in anything unless you're grinding levels. But really, with your first playthrough play how you want. You're going to miss a lot most likely, and you might be spreading yourself too thin... but it's doable. If you want other playthroughs after then you can start min maxing.

 

[Sad People]

Imo... yes. Don't get me wrong, you can do it but you're not going to be that great in anything unless you're grinding levels. But really, with your first playthrough play how you want. You're going to miss a lot most likely, and you might be spreading yourself too thin... but it's doable. If you want other playthroughs after then you can start min maxing.

Love dragons, so i know i wanna dabble in the dragon incantations and you need faith and arcane to do so. Maybe not a crap ton of arcane but its needed. So i think thats what im going to do. The dragon incantations were made for me lol

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Love dragons, so i know i wanna dabble in the dragon incantations and you need faith and arcane to do so. Maybe not a crap ton of arcane but its needed. So i think thats what im going to do. The dragon incantations were made for me lol

Dragon powers are cool, you're in for a fight though!

Man, now I want to do another playthrough

 

[Sweetnut]

Dragon powers are cool, you're in for a fight though!

Man, now I want to do another playthrough

Do you mean Skyrim? That is one of the best. Old but still one of the best.

 

[Sad People]

Dragon powers are cool, you're in for a fight though!

Man, now I want to do another playthrough

You mean im in for a fight because i have to slay the dragons in order to get them or some of them atleast? Or what did you mean?

Do it!! Itd be rad to hear what you gotta say about it im going through it as well. Its going to take me a very long time to finish this game though i can already tell.

Do you mean Skyrim? That is one of the best. Old but still one of the best.

Elden Ring, I just started up my first playthrough. And Mr Fox has been helping me.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

The dragon fights. Lol. Don't expect the dragon incantations for a bit

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Do you mean Skyrim? That is one of the best. Old but still one of the best.

I think you meant Morrowind

 

[BagHead]

I think you meant Morrowind

Of the RPG's I'd both played before and also ranked before Morrowindt:
FFVII
Baldur's Gate 1 (and 2? Can't quite remember the order)
Fallout 1 and 2
Suikoden II

Played After:
Baldur's Gate III
Divinity: Original Sin 2

That's all.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Of the RPG's I'd both played before and also ranked before Morrowindt:
FFVII
Baldur's Gate 1 (and 2? Can't quite remember the order)
Fallout 1 and 2
Suikoden II

Played After:
Baldur's Gate III
Divinity: Original Sin 2

That's all.

Super Mario RPG
FF9
FF Tactics

Are probably the only ones I would also add to my personal list above Morrowind, though very different styles among these.

 

[Minnewildsota]

Super Mario RPG
FF9
FF Tactics

Are probably the only ones I would also add to my personal list above Morrowind, though very different styles among these.

I completely forgot about those games. Might have to dust off my Steam Deck and play some retro. Are they considered retro? What's the cut off? lol

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Super Mario RPG
FF9
FF Tactics

Are probably the only ones I would also add to my personal list above Morrowind, though very different styles among these.

Woot! FFT is probably my favorite of all time. Would love to see a prequel or sequel with good story and similar classes but I'd probably have unrealistic expectations. So here is hoping for a decent remaster someday.

Started D4 season 2. Much better gameplay, imo. Mounts, layouts of dungeons, bosses, etc. are all better. Started on a rogue but wasn't feeling it, so switched to sorcerer, and I am loving it.

 

[BagHead]

Super Mario RPG
FF9
FF Tactics

Are probably the only ones I would also add to my personal list above Morrowind, though very different styles among these.

For some reason FF9 didn't vibe for me when I originally played it, which was just after it came out and is also the last time I played it. I need to give it another go now that I'm basically a different person. FF Tactics, though, that's a classic I'd forgotten about!

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Of the RPG's I'd both played before and also ranked before Morrowindt:
FFVII
Baldur's Gate 1 (and 2? Can't quite remember the order)
Fallout 1 and 2
Suikoden II

Played After:
Baldur's Gate III
Divinity: Original Sin 2

That's all.

I wasn't saying Morriwind is the best RPG out there. It definitely isn't, I just think it's the best Elder Scrolls game .

Super Mario RPG
FF9
FF Tactics

Are probably the only ones I would also add to my personal list above Morrowind, though very different styles among these.

Holy hell, I forgot about Super Mario RPG. That's a great game

 

[BagHead]

I wasn't saying Morriwind is the best RPG out there. It definitely isn't, I just think it's the best Elder Scrolls game .


Holy hell, I forgot about Super Mario RPG. That's a great game

No, my point was that it is one of the best. Those are the only RPG's I put above it, while the list of games I'd put below it is quite a bit longer.

 

[Sweetnut]

So I´m the only one who still cranks up Skyrim after 12 years?

 

[AKL]

So I´m the only one who still cranks up Skyrim after 12 years?

I play it once in a while still, played it a couple times in the last couple weeks

 

[Soldier13Fox]

D4 season 2 is good

 

[Jbcraig1883]

D4 season 2 is good

I am enjoying it much more than S1 so far.