OT: Video Games VI

[shtorm2005]

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Resident Evil can get f***ed. In middle school one time a few friends and I spent the night at one of their houses and we stayed up late trying to beat RE2 on PS1.

This scarred me for life.

Resident Evil 2 & The Door Transition Scare That Created Paranoia

Resident Evil 2 features a zombie attack during a door opening animation – a single moment that eroded any sense of safety I had playing horror games.

www.dreadxp.com

 

[g00n]

Lance Reddick, ‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick’ Star, Dies at 60

Lance Reddick, star of 'The Wire,' 'John Wick' and more, has died at 60.

variety.com

RIP Sylens

 

[shtorm2005]

For Witcher fans

Spoiler

 

[John Price]

 

[Roric]

Steam sales alone make me strongly consider PC over console

 

[Roric]

Speaking of PC, does anyone have recommendations for gaming laptops? I know they're shit on compared to desktops but I don't have the space for a tower and want something I could easily move around/hook up to my TV to play on the couch sometimes. I would be uncomfortable as hell just gaming at my desk all the time. Was looking at lenovo legion 5 or something else below $1500

 

[bacchist]

Speaking of PC, does anyone have recommendations for gaming laptops? I know they're shit on compared to desktops but I don't have the space for a tower and want something I could easily move around/hook up to my TV to play on the couch sometimes. I would be uncomfortable as hell just gaming at my desk all the time. Was looking at lenovo legion 5 or something else below $1500

I am not necessarily recommending it, but I have a Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop with a Ryzen CPU with Radeon graphics that I got for less than $1000 a couple years ago. I can play games on it just fine... I use an external keyboard, mouse, and regular monitor. I can't play the newest games or use the highest settings, but it was also not a gaming laptop and cost less than your price range.

I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to get a gaming laptop these days. The tech has come a long way.

 

[shtorm2005]

Speaking of PC, does anyone have recommendations for gaming laptops? I know they're shit on compared to desktops but I don't have the space for a tower and want something I could easily move around/hook up to my TV to play on the couch sometimes. I would be uncomfortable as hell just gaming at my desk all the time. Was looking at lenovo legion 5 or something else below $1500

I have a PC tower, so can't help you with advice, but did you consider Steam deck? It's portable, you can play almost everything from steam and it's currently the first time in sale (-10%). You can hook it up to tv also

 

[Devil Dancer]

Speaking of PC, does anyone have recommendations for gaming laptops? I know they're shit on compared to desktops but I don't have the space for a tower and want something I could easily move around/hook up to my TV to play on the couch sometimes. I would be uncomfortable as hell just gaming at my desk all the time. Was looking at lenovo legion 5 or something else below $1500

I have a Lenovo Legion with a 2060 that's a couple years old now. Before that I had another Lenovo gaming laptop. I liked both. My current machine runs modern games well, but it gets hot. I think I paid $1200-$1300 for it new.

I also have a Steam Deck, but I use that for simpler games. It struggled a bit with Nioh 2, for example.

 

[usiel]

Speaking of PC, does anyone have recommendations for gaming laptops? I know they're shit on compared to desktops but I don't have the space for a tower and want something I could easily move around/hook up to my TV to play on the couch sometimes. I would be uncomfortable as hell just gaming at my desk all the time. Was looking at lenovo legion 5 or something else below $1500

I have a Alienware M15 (2070, upgrade to OLED screen) that I got right around 1600 (just randomly caught a $500 dollar off sale. Less powerful Acer Predator (1060ti) been rock solid secondary gaming laptop. Both brands thumbs up so far.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

f*** this stupid game.

 

[usiel]

f*** this stupid game.

Have not had a chance to really dive into this one but have decided I will play with unlimited health to troll the developers.

 

[Cappy76]

f*** this stupid game.

The mods to play co-op with friends and another to randomize drops and enemy’s has brought this game back to the top of my list.

 

[Jags]

Speaking of PC, does anyone have recommendations for gaming laptops? I know they're shit on compared to desktops but I don't have the space for a tower and want something I could easily move around/hook up to my TV to play on the couch sometimes. I would be uncomfortable as hell just gaming at my desk all the time. Was looking at lenovo legion 5 or something else below $1500

All of the major brands you've heard of make a good laptop these days. Every user has specific things about that experience that they prioritize, so recommendations get complicated. The laptop that suits everyone costs a fortune, and the bargains all eschew something pivotal that people are looking for.

If you're a realist that knows what to expect from a sub-$1,500 notebook, then pretty much all of them will be suitable for you. We'd need to know a lot more about how you'd actually use it to be specific with recs that would be helpful for you.

For example, if the plan is to hook it up to a TV sometimes, what are the alternatives? Playing popular PC games with your laptop actually in your lap is almost always a horrible experience. They get hot and loud, the keyboard and mouse solutions are limited, bottom-facing cooling solutions are terrible and potentially hazardous to the lifespan of the unit, and so on. And the second you set it down at a tabletop, you're essentially replicating all the discomforts you mention about desktop gaming.

Also, how high is your personal video sensitivity? TV gaming is more likely to demand higher performance at higher resolutions, which can easily tax a $1,500 laptop.

Again, assuming you're comfortable with all of that, most new gaming laptops will be fine for you. In that price range there are plenty of options for a 3070 or equivalent, and a 3060 will do the job admirably for hundreds less if you can tolerate sub-max settings.

If the your gaming time will mostly be on a TV, don't be so quick to dismiss the idea of an actual PC. Low-profile options are plentiful these days, and of course an actual PC will perform better, cost less, and be far more upgradeable. If you can find a place to put it -- even if it requires that you get clever or innovative about it -- it's definitely the better option.

But yeah, if your solution really needs to be a laptop, they're all fine. If you just plug "3070 laptop" into Amazon and browse reviews (sort by newest reviews to weed out the possible fake reviews that typically come early), you'll get a good feel for what's what. Be realistic and smart. If you're really going to be on a TV most of the time, don't blow your budget on a high-refresh display or touchscreen. And it's not all GPU and CPU either. Design can be pretty crucial depending on your use. If you're actually going to have the chassis in your lap or resting on something that gives (pillow, bed, etc.), vent locations are a big deal.

Once you start to narrow down your options, plug the manufacturer and model into YouTube and watch some reviews where you can see and get more of a feel for actual performance.

Generally speaking, the lower your target price, the more you'll be looking at options from companies that are more known for components (Gigabyte, MSI, ASUS). All of those will have comparable, perfunctory hardware. Nothing special about the designs; their systems are more function than form. Of those the ASUS have the best reps. The companies more known for full system builds (Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc.) tend to charge more for design. Sometimes it's worth it if you need thinner, lighter options with superior cooling and a sturdier, more elegant build, but on a fixed budget that will of course come at the expense of components.

So if you're good with MSI, you can get a pretty reputable 3070 rig at around $1,200 to start. Something "fancier" in the same price range will only get you a 3060. You'll find the occasional 3080 or 3070Ti option at around $1,500, just be sure to be thorough in your review hunt. Every manufacturer has lemon builds with known issues from time to time.

For example, this is a really nice option. Reputable manufacturer, a model line with a lot of fanfare, but lotsa folks are reporting hardware failure. Might be the exception, might be the rule. If you plan to use it a lot and are quick on the trigger (and patient enough) to pursue replacement while it's covered by Amazon and warranty replacement that could take weeks from the manufacturer thereafter, then it's a solid bargain worth the associated risk. It's still being stocked despite being about 2 years old -- is that because it sold great and the reorders kept it in production, or was it never popular because of the issues and they've been sitting in a warehouse somewhere that whole time? Who knows? Feels like a crap shoot, don't it?

Sorry for the novel, but it's a loaded question. Lots to consider.

TL;DR: Whichever Lenovo you're looking at is probably pretty great. I have a Flex 5 that I got for work cuz I vastly prefer touchscreens to touchpads. Love it. Nice, solid build, but not thin or light. Battery is decent. Mine isn't a gaming system, but the integrated Ryzen graphics performs surprisingly well. Far Cry 5 runs pretty perfectly at mid settings. No significant bloatware; included Lenovo update and support software isn't intrusive or resource-intensive. Very happy with the purchase ($720 two years ago).

 

[twabby]

f*** this stupid game.

This game rocks. So good!

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

This game rocks. So good!

I respectfully disagree!

 

[Cappy76]

I respectfully disagree!

It’s absolutely frustrating as hell at times for sure

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

It’s absolutely frustrating as hell at times for sure

I don’t think I gave it enough of a run to give it an honest chance. I accidentally attacked the level 80 (or something high like that) white knight/wizard person right after you get out of training, got killed 15 times as soon as I respawned, restarted the game so I could stop getting smoked by that guy, then got killed about 50 times trying to get in the castle and said f*** it.

 

[twabby]

I respectfully disagree!

It took me like 3 or 4 Soulsborne games before I actually liked them and “mastered” them. Definitely not for everyone, and definitely an acquired taste.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

It took me like 3 or 4 Soulsborne games before I actually liked them and “mastered” them. Definitely not for everyone, and definitely an acquired taste.

This is my first Souls game. You guys warned me and I took the plunge anyway. That’s on me

 

[shtorm2005]

Elden f** ring....

This is my first Souls game. You guys warned me and I took the plunge anyway. That’s on me

Maybe try out Asterigos, souls-like game for newbies.

 

[usiel]

All of the major brands you've heard of make a good laptop these days. Every user has specific things about that experience that they prioritize, so recommendations get complicated. The laptop that suits everyone costs a fortune, and the bargains all eschew something pivotal that people are looking for.

If you're a realist that knows what to expect from a sub-$1,500 notebook, then pretty much all of them will be suitable for you. We'd need to know a lot more about how you'd actually use it to be specific with recs that would be helpful for you.

For example, if the plan is to hook it up to a TV sometimes, what are the alternatives? Playing popular PC games with your laptop actually in your lap is almost always a horrible experience. They get hot and loud, the keyboard and mouse solutions are limited, bottom-facing cooling solutions are terrible and potentially hazardous to the lifespan of the unit, and so on. And the second you set it down at a tabletop, you're essentially replicating all the discomforts you mention about desktop gaming.

Also, how high is your personal video sensitivity? TV gaming is more likely to demand higher performance at higher resolutions, which can easily tax a $1,500 laptop.

Again, assuming you're comfortable with all of that, most new gaming laptops will be fine for you. In that price range there are plenty of options for a 3070 or equivalent, and a 3060 will do the job admirably for hundreds less if you can tolerate sub-max settings.

If the your gaming time will mostly be on a TV, don't be so quick to dismiss the idea of an actual PC. Low-profile options are plentiful these days, and of course an actual PC will perform better, cost less, and be far more upgradeable. If you can find a place to put it -- even if it requires that you get clever or innovative about it -- it's definitely the better option.

But yeah, if your solution really needs to be a laptop, they're all fine. If you just plug "3070 laptop" into Amazon and browse reviews (sort by newest reviews to weed out the possible fake reviews that typically come early), you'll get a good feel for what's what. Be realistic and smart. If you're really going to be on a TV most of the time, don't blow your budget on a high-refresh display or touchscreen. And it's not all GPU and CPU either. Design can be pretty crucial depending on your use. If you're actually going to have the chassis in your lap or resting on something that gives (pillow, bed, etc.), vent locations are a big deal.

Once you start to narrow down your options, plug the manufacturer and model into YouTube and watch some reviews where you can see and get more of a feel for actual performance.

Generally speaking, the lower your target price, the more you'll be looking at options from companies that are more known for components (Gigabyte, MSI, ASUS). All of those will have comparable, perfunctory hardware. Nothing special about the designs; their systems are more function than form. Of those the ASUS have the best reps. The companies more known for full system builds (Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc.) tend to charge more for design. Sometimes it's worth it if you need thinner, lighter options with superior cooling and a sturdier, more elegant build, but on a fixed budget that will of course come at the expense of components.

So if you're good with MSI, you can get a pretty reputable 3070 rig at around $1,200 to start. Something "fancier" in the same price range will only get you a 3060. You'll find the occasional 3080 or 3070Ti option at around $1,500, just be sure to be thorough in your review hunt. Every manufacturer has lemon builds with known issues from time to time.

For example, this is a really nice option. Reputable manufacturer, a model line with a lot of fanfare, but lotsa folks are reporting hardware failure. Might be the exception, might be the rule. If you plan to use it a lot and are quick on the trigger (and patient enough) to pursue replacement while it's covered by Amazon and warranty replacement that could take weeks from the manufacturer thereafter, then it's a solid bargain worth the associated risk. It's still being stocked despite being about 2 years old -- is that because it sold great and the reorders kept it in production, or was it never popular because of the issues and they've been sitting in a warehouse somewhere that whole time? Who knows? Feels like a crap shoot, don't it?

Sorry for the novel, but it's a loaded question. Lots to consider.

TL;DR: Whichever Lenovo you're looking at is probably pretty great. I have a Flex 5 that I got for work cuz I vastly prefer touchscreens to touchpads. Love it. Nice, solid build, but not thin or light. Battery is decent. Mine isn't a gaming system, but the integrated Ryzen graphics performs surprisingly well. Far Cry 5 runs pretty perfectly at mid settings. No significant bloatware; included Lenovo update and support software isn't intrusive or resource-intensive. Very happy with the purchase ($720 two years ago).

Jags reminded the real gaming laptop money divide is what resolution you want to game at. Also will be using a stand alone monitor. Hell 20xx series does great at 1440p. 4k laptop gaming is here the dollars really go up.

 

[Cappy76]

This is my first Souls game. You guys warned me and I took the plunge anyway. That’s on me

It’s a grind for sure and takes either patience learning how to counter and time boss moves or leveling up on small enemies until you’re over powered for an area. And yes they really stick it to you in the opening walking up to that knight off the hop

 

[John Price]

I recently retired from Elden Ring and I don't miss it one bit. Tired of dying.