OT: General Video Game Discussion IX

[Sad People]

Today was a bit of a struggle. A lot of dying but ended up beating Astel Naturalborn of the void today and man that boss was extremely visually appealing, So cool. Every single boss id say in this game is really appealing to the eyes, really cool visuals.

Went through the Lake of Rot today as well and that was a struggle. Also ended up on the plateau thats to the south of Raya Lucaria and man everything seems to be extremely high level there. I cant for the life of me beat that Everol (?) boss, the black knife assassin leader, Tough cookie to beat. Think i'll level up a bit and head back. Also saw theres a dragon there as well that ill try and take down tomorrow, hopefully i can get a cool new dragon incant after defeating it.

Ended up changing my build for the first time, Ended up going with a Faith/ Arcane build, kinda a vampire build if you will. Changed my Ash of War to Bloody slash, which makes my Katana scale to aracne now instead of faith. In the long run i think this is the play because both my dragon incants and incant seal both scale with aracane, so i respeced heavily into it.

Also changed up my summon from the jelly you got at the begining of the game to the mimic tear and that as well seems like a huge upgrade. Sucks it takes a big chunk outta your HP in order to summon instead of FP but it is what it is. Thinking about adding a seal that gradually restores HP, this kinda adds to the "vampire build" if you will. Really only specing into Faith so i can get access to certain incants other than that it seems kinda pointless. I think thought my incant seal scales with faith as well but not nearly as well as it does with aracane. Arcane is an S while Faith is a C i think.

 

[Wild11MN]

Well I’m sad, I had typed out a response on my phone and it just deleted itself somehow…

I only play the regular game mode and “world of chel”. I would say the regular game mode has improved; as the new “pressure” system rewards sustained offensive zone time. This drains defenders (and goalies) energy and stresses the importance of clearing the puck or taking advantage. Defenders are much more than just pylons you can blow by while simply scoring off of the rush. I can appreciate this as there is a bit more required on how to critically think through offense. But don’t kid yourself, the regular game mode is built to feel arcade-like… hits, shots, and saves all some more dramatic than they really are. Makes for a cheap(ish) feeling experience.

There’s a new thing called “x-factors” which highlight a specific trait a superstar player holds. Like, for example, Kaprizov has the “elite edges” x-factor ability - allowing for one to have increased maneuverability in tight spaces while maintaining possession of the puck. Sure… I’d agree the real life Kaprizov has that. But frankly, I kind of feel like it’s cheap. Why not just have Kaprizov’s balance and agility stats higher than most? Why go through the charade of “x-factors”? Cool, I guess.

World of chel is the video-gamers NHL. Completely built for speed, hax, and flashy moves/goals. You can adjust your player’s attributes, “loadout” (is this CoD?); meaning whether you’re a puck-moving dman, grinder, sniper, etc… and size. But be warned, the current meta is all about building tiny speed demons 5’ 10” 160 lb 95/95 speed acceleration and just blowing by everything to score easy rush goals. The worst part? You can just hip check everything, size and strength be damned.

Interesting. I kinda want get back into playing one of them, but only kinda. Seems like after so many years off, it would at least be a new experience.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Yup! I think thats a weapon that drops from an optional boss from the Evergol? Or whatever theyre called, and i think that boss is in Limgrave. Came across it as well.

Bleed was super OP in the early days

 

[Sad People]

Bleed was super OP in the early days

Is it a bleed weapon? I didnt look too much into that weapon.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Is it a bleed weapon? I didnt look too much into that weapon.

I think so? I never did get into any bleed builds, but I thought it was.

 

[Sad People]

I think so? I never did get into any bleed builds, but I thought it was.

Im still not sure how that all works still. Like ive come across katanas that apply bleed and like an ax that applies frost etc. So if i hit the enemy enough times with said weapon without an ash of war ill eventually apply that status affect on the enemy?

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Im still not sure how that all works still. Like ive come across a katanas that does bleed and like an ax that applies frost etc. So if i hit the enemy enough times with said weapon without an ash of war ill eventually apply that status affect on the enemy?

Yep. Similar to when you get hit with bleed (or any status affect) and see that bar build up... thr same thing happens to enemies, you just don't see that bar. It's there, just behind the scenes.

 

[Sad People]

Yep. Similar to when you get hit with bleed (or any status affect) and see that bar build up... thr same thing happens to enemies, you just don't see that bar. It's there, just behind the scenes.

I think my new build is a bleed build but to myself? lol

EDIT: Maybe not but ill just call it a vampire build lol

 

[Arturia Pendragon]

Interesting. I kinda want get back into playing one of them, but only kinda. Seems like after so many years off, it would at least be a new experience.

Well if you do lmk and we can team up for some 3v3 or 6v6. I forgot to mention cross platform is supported so you can add friends through EA and not have it be platform specific.

 

[Sad People]

Been using the Mimic Tear Summon today and man this thing seems ridiculously OP, after today i think im going to move on from it for that very reason. Way too tanky and puts out way too much damage for my liking.

Been exploring Altus Plateau and this is a really pretty area. The change of scenery is really nice going from a Spring/Summer feeling to a fall feeling is nice and almost puts a breath of fresh air into the game and at times makes me feel like im playing something entirely different. Really good idea to change up the scenery at this point so the game doesnt feel stagnant.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Don't hate me guys - I got COD MW3 for nostalgia sake since the maps are from 2009 (that last FPS I played a ton). There are a lot of issues with it (the unlock system is super cumbersome) but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy running through some of the old maps and still able to be somewhat competitive.

Still haven't finished S2 D4 - kinda hit a wall around 80s with the unique farming.

Still only done with Act 1 of BG3 - haven't had time where I can sit and play for extended period of time, which is what I feel is required to truly enjoy it.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Where ya at @Sad People?

 

[Sad People]

Where ya at @Sad People?

Mountain tops of the giants right now.

Made it through all of the capital. Really really cool area the entire legacy dungeon was really well done. Got kinda annoying at times because it was like a maze especially the lower part of it but it was cool.

How far do you think i still have to go? I wanna finish the dang game lol I love it and its easily the 2nd best game ive played but im at over 100 hours right now and i still feel like i have a lot to do and can tell im getting a little burnt out on it. I know its slightly my fault because im exploring everything and doing everything i find like dungeons and areas and fights but gosh dang.

 

[Minnesota]

I’m still wandering around in Starfield, stumbling upon interesting things here & there. Nothing is grabbing me too hard, so I’m looking for suggestions. Here is my wishlist:
- Dave The Diver
- Cyberpunk 2077 (I hear the work they’ve put in really makes the game worth checking out)
- Pikman 4
- Elden Ring (was on my bucket list, but reading through @Sad People’s updates makes me want to check it out)
- Octopath Traveler 2

 

[AKL]

I’m still wandering around in Starfield, stumbling upon interesting things here & there. Nothing is grabbing me too hard, so I’m looking for suggestions. Here is my wishlist:
- Dave The Diver
- Cyberpunk 2077 (I hear the work they’ve put in really makes the game worth checking out)
- Pikman 4
- Elden Ring (was on my bucket list, but reading through @Sad People’s updates makes me want to check it out)
- Octopath Traveler 2

I really enjoyed playing through Cyberpunk. Haven't actually played since Phantom Liberty came out, but that was supposed to add a ton of new systems and content to the game to make it even better. My one complaint is that, even though they built a really cool world to explore, I always wished there would have been more ways to engage with it outside of quests. But the story was intriguing, there were a lot of optional side quests that opened up some new paths you could take, and there are so many different ways to do "combat" that it actually has a good amount of replayability just from trying different builds alone.

I didn't play the other four, but I've also heard if you do like the Souls games, Elden Ring is a must try.

 

[BagHead]

I’m still wandering around in Starfield, stumbling upon interesting things here & there. Nothing is grabbing me too hard, so I’m looking for suggestions. Here is my wishlist:
- Dave The Diver
- Cyberpunk 2077 (I hear the work they’ve put in really makes the game worth checking out)
- Pikman 4
- Elden Ring (was on my bucket list, but reading through @Sad People’s updates makes me want to check it out)
- Octopath Traveler 2

Going to second AKL on Cyberpunk. I played through the PC version while it was still a mess, and while it clearly needed a lot more work, it was still reasonably fun. Playing it again, but this time with all the updates and Phantom Liberty is the next thing on my docket, after BG3, which I assume means I'll be playing it sometime 2 years from now.

I also really want to play Dave the Diver.

 

[Sad People]

I’m still wandering around in Starfield, stumbling upon interesting things here & there. Nothing is grabbing me too hard, so I’m looking for suggestions. Here is my wishlist:
- Dave The Diver
- Cyberpunk 2077 (I hear the work they’ve put in really makes the game worth checking out)
- Pikman 4
- Elden Ring (was on my bucket list, but reading through @Sad People’s updates makes me want to check it out)
- Octopath Traveler 2

Easily CP77 or Elden Ring for me but i would lean Elden Ring. Althought ive heard good things about Dave the Diver as well.

Sounds like youve been following the posts a bit so you should know (hope that doesnt come off arrogant because it isnt coming from a place of arrogance) that its easily one of the best games ive played, i put it at 2 on my list behind Hellblade. Games absolutely incredible and i feel like my words arent doing it justice either, between the enemies, the world they built, the graphics, music, the cool A** armor sets. everything is a chefs kiss. You can get an incredible amount of playing time with this game like i said earlier im at 100 hours and im still not done yet. Its hard but i will go out on a limb and say its probably one of the easiest FromSoft games out there with the summons some of them are OP. Im rolling with the Dragon Knight Kristoff guy because it fits with my build with all the dragon incantations that i cast, he shoots lightning outta his spear and is fairly tanky.

I havent played CP77 since release and have been meaning to give it another go.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Mountain tops of the giants right now.

Made it through all of the capital. Really really cool area the entire legacy dungeon was really well done. Got kinda annoying at times because it was like a maze especially the lower part of it but it was cool.

How far do you think i still have to go? I wanna finish the dang game lol I love it and its easily the 2nd best game ive played but im at over 100 hours right now and i still feel like i have a lot to do and can tell im getting a little burnt out on it. I know its slightly my fault because im exploring everything and doing everything i find like dungeons and areas and fights but gosh dang.

You're close! Melania fight soon, lol (have fun).

I downloaded the game again. I meant to wait until the DLC.... but I need some elden ring in my blood

 

[Sad People]

Over the last few days when I wasn’t posting about the play through I finished up Volcano Manor (I think?) and Rykard as well. For me that boss was rough at first so I was slamming my head against wall trying to beat him with my katana and I but hey who woulda thought I you should use the weapon the game gives you in the arena where you fight the boss made the boss fight extremely easy after I switched weapons. Overall wasn’t the biggest fan of that fight because I can’t stand snakes lol

I also fought and beat Commander Niall today and had a pretty easy time with him when hues supposedly a really hard boss.

Also it might just be me or it might be the game or souls like games in general but I have no effin clue what’s going on with the main story, Like I’m completely oblivious of what’s going on in it lol. I know I gotta set fire to an erd tree but I don’t know why. Thinking about watching a video afterwards summing it up or explaining it.

You're close! Melania fight soon, lol (have fun).

I downloaded the game again. I meant to wait until the DLC.... but I need some elden ring in my blood

Yeah I dunno what I’m going to do because the DLC is coming soon I think and I’m playing thorough it now. So it might be too soon to do another play through so I dunno what I wanna do.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

Over the last few days when I wasn’t posting about the play through I finished up Volcano Manor (I think?) and Rykard as well. For me that boss was rough at first so I was slamming my head against wall trying to beat him with my katana and I but hey who woulda thought I you should use the weapon the game gives you in the arena where you fight the boss made the boss fight extremely easy after I switched weapons. Overall wasn’t the biggest fan of that fight because I can’t stand snakes lol

I also fought and beat Commander Niall today and had a pretty easy time with him when hues supposedly a really hard boss.

Also it might just be me or it might be the game or souls like games in general but I have no effin clue what’s going on with the main story, Like I’m completely oblivious of what’s going on in it lol. I know I gotta set fire to an erd tree but I don’t know why. Thinking about watching a video afterwards summing it up or explaining it.


Yeah I dunno what I’m going to do because the DLC is coming soon I think and I’m playing thorough it now. So it might be too soon to do another play through so I dunno what I wanna do.

Regarding your thoughts on the story. It is both NOT you and also a hallmark of the souls games in general. There's a story there (moreso with the other more linear games. There are youtubers that have made their living piecing it all together) but man.... they make you work for it and leave a ton to your imagination.

 

[Sad People]

Regarding your thoughts on the story. It is both NOT you and also a hallmark of the souls games in general. There's a story there (moreso with the other more linear games. There are youtubers that have made their living piecing it all together) but man.... they make you work for it and leave a ton to your imagination.

You plan on doing a brand new play through or NG+? And what class?

 

[TaLoN]

I’m still wandering around in Starfield, stumbling upon interesting things here & there. Nothing is grabbing me too hard, so I’m looking for suggestions. Here is my wishlist:
- Dave The Diver
- Cyberpunk 2077 (I hear the work they’ve put in really makes the game worth checking out)
- Pikman 4
- Elden Ring (was on my bucket list, but reading through @Sad People’s updates makes me want to check it out)
- Octopath Traveler 2

Another Cyberpunk vote, thoroughly enjoying this game again on my PS5

 

[Dee Oh Cee]

I feel like this year turned out to be a somewhat surprising outstanding year for games. Here is a list of my favorites somewhat in reply to Minnesota's ask/wishlist in no particular order:

- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Sea of Stars
- Spider-Man 2 (although I haven't played yet, know it will be good).
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
- Octopath Traveler II (great game)
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor
- Final Fantasy XVI

Looking forward to yet:
- Super Mario RPG remake
- DLC for Tales of Arise

It was a great year. Baldur's Gate itself makes it one of my favorite years ever for games.

 

[Minnesota]

@Dee Oh Cee great list, Ive heard great things about Sea of Stars. I’ll add that one to my wishlist.

I respect the hell out of Balder’s Gate 3, and Like a Dragon - but I don’t think those games are up my alley. I enjoy watching other people play them.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Wife mentioned she thinks we should get a console so she can play some coop games. She’s never been a gamer before. PS5 or Switch is my challenge here. SMRPG remake is making me personally want to go Switch, but PS5 has some great exclusives too.

She asked about CoD and I just refuse to support that franchise. She wants a shooter but probably needs more AI and easy options due to lack of experience. Ideally I would love to do all the Halo campaigns with her, or like Gears of War style games, but not familiar with anything fitting that bill lately for either of those consoles.