General gaming discussion

[Boydy]

What the fuck was that prologue about?

I spent half the time looking at Kiefer Sutherland's bare arse crack and the other half being chased by some (literally) fiery motherfucker whose creepy, gas-masked sidekick kept popping up.

[phonics]

It's really, really crap and doesn't reflect any moment in the rest of the game outside of one of the greatest staring contests of all time.

GAMES. ARE. ART.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlK84apHr_0

[Dark Soldier]

If you ignore literally all of the plot, and skip all the cut-scenes, MGSV is the greatest action sandbox ever created.

[Boydy]

Who is the fire guy? Is he gonna appear again later?

Not sure I like this open desert feel in the next bit either. I left the horse back a bit before approaching the first guard tower I came to. I killed the first guard then another dickhead I hadn't seen turned up so I shot him too. Now my horse is way back where I left it. Is there no way to get him to come to me?

Also, the controls feel a bit awkward and not very intuitive.

[Shindig]

It's the most polished, rushed out the door game you could imagine.

[Dark Soldier]

Oh Boydy I love you but you're a clusterfuck. You can call your horse back to you, yes. Its either hold L1 or R3, can't remember, and you select it on the wheel.

[Disco]

I don't doubt that the missions themselves are very well designed but you can't claim something is 'the best game ever' when you have to ignore the entire story and probably every line of writing to get there.

[phonics]

Who is the fire guy? Is he gonna appear again later?

Not sure I like this open desert feel in the next bit either. I left the horse back a bit before approaching the first guard tower I came to. I killed the first guard then another dickhead I hadn't seen turned up so I shot him too. Now my horse is way back where I left it. Is there no way to get him to come to me?

Also, the controls feel a bit awkward and not very intuitive.

Yes. Once. Don't worry about it.

Yes it's in the radial menu, they definitely explain it. Once you build up your trust with the horse you can make it have a poo on command which will make enemy cars slide off the road and crash.

I struggled with the controls at first (I've barely played a Metal Gear game) but you begin to master them and realise why they made the decisions they did on it.


I don't doubt that the missions themselves are very well designed but you can't claim something is 'the best game ever' when you have to ignore the entire story and probably every line of writing to get there.

Have you played it? There's. No. Story. Outside of that first hour and last hour, it's got a worrying lack of plot and then you finish the game and remember you didn't actually want or need anything anyway. You just wanted another bunch of people to kill in ever more sadistic ways. The missions aren't well designed, they're plain cookie cutter if anything, but the systems and the level designs of the individual towns are second to none and all the systems play into everything else for the rest of the game. Take the easy way out and headshot everyone? They start wearing helmets. Using too many smoke grenades and they get gas masks, but then you can screw with the supply lines and then less enemies have helmets/gas masks etc.. It's JCVD's answer to Hitman and it's incredible.

[Dark Soldier]

As dunkey beautifully demonstrates:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNaUiaGRxw

Its not the greatest thing ever, in my eyes. It'd probably scrape into my Top 50 of all time. They could've scrapped every single bit in the game that refers to Metal Gear, sold it as "90's Action Simulator" and it would be worth full whack. Its a phenomenal playground, just go into free roam and fuck shit up.

[ItalAussie]

I would probably (definitely) play a game called "90's Action Simulator".

[Patje]

Me too, "90's Action Simulator" sounds good.

[phonics]

That's called Broforce.

[Disco]

Have you played it? There's. No. Story. Outside of that first hour and last hour, it's got a worrying lack of plot and then you finish the game and remember you didn't actually want or need anything anyway. You just wanted another bunch of people to kill in ever more sadistic ways. The missions aren't well designed, they're plain cookie cutter if anything, but the systems and the level designs of the individual towns are second to none and all the systems play into everything else for the rest of the game. Take the easy way out and headshot everyone? They start wearing helmets. Using too many smoke grenades and they get gas masks, but then you can screw with the supply lines and then less enemies have helmets/gas masks etc.. It's JCVD's answer to Hitman and it's incredible.

I have played it and the adaptive mission stuff is nicely done (that's what I meant by mission design) but the game totally fails to provide any meaningful narrative/framework around those missions so they just become an exercise in box ticking. It's not a matter of anyone wanting a story, the game tries to present one but does not succeed. That doesn't make it a bad game (quite the opposite, it's probably the best MGS purely because the utterly terrible writing normally makes them unbearable) but it does seem a bit silly to say 'This is the best thing ever as long as you ignore the rubbish bits'. For something to be considered the best of it's kind it needs to be a much more rounded/consistent experience.

[elth]

On a less circular note, I finished Dungeon Siege II today (ooh, up with the times, me) and it's not very good. Wish I'd known how long it was going to be and how average at about the 20 hour mark so I could have just binned it, but foolishly I kept thinking it would get better until I was too close to the end to give up.

Absolutely enjoying the fuck out of the Tomb Raider reboot though.

[Baz]

Next up you've gotta sit through the Dungeon Siege film (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460780/).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gone Home free on PS+ in June. I never finished a run through on the PC, so should be golden.

[Shindig]

I'd like to revisit it to see if it holds up. Oooh, Echochome and Siren: Blood Curse on the PS3.

[Ian]

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/01/gog-connect-steam/

How did I not know that GOG was owned by CD Projekt? Makes me love the magnificent bastards even more.

[Danny]

Gone Home free on PS+ in June. I never finished a run through on the PC, so should be golden.

NBA 2K16 too.

Worth a freebie I imagine.

[Dark Soldier]

Yeah I fancy a crack at that, looks fun although I know nothing about the sport apart from the 2/3 point system.

Golf update: Qualified for the US Open next week, and currently sat joint 2nd on the Euro Tour tournament for the week, although I got excited and proceeded to fuck it all up in the last two. Slowly making my way to the top 50.

[phonics]

Do it. Play Spike Lee's magical MyCareer. You won't regret it.

[Danny]

Just read about it, it sounds hideous. Hopefully there is an option to do the career without that nonsense.

That's all I like from sports games these days.

[phonics]

Just read about it, it sounds hideous. Hopefully there is an option to do the career without that nonsense.

That's all I like from sports games these days.

Nah you can't skip it and don't try. It's amazingly bad.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's fucking awful.

Whoever decided it was a good idea should have been sacked.

[Ian]

So I've started Grim Fandango Remastered and I think I'm already going to have to resort to a walkthrough because the game has given me what appears to be a vague instruction and then left me to my own devices. I have a bunch of stuff in my inventory but there's been no real guidance on how I'm supposed to be doing the next thing it's told me to do.

Maybe I'm just a moron.

Sigh.

[Patje]

Nah, you're probably thinking wrongly. Remember the old adventure game logic, which wasn't logical at all? THAT's what you need.

[Kikó]

What the fuck was that prologue about?

I spent half the time looking at Kiefer Sutherland's bare arse crack and the other half being chased by some (literally) fiery motherfucker whose creepy, gas-masked sidekick kept popping up.

I'm currently doing this. First metal gear in donkeys so looking forward to the roaming even if it won't be quite as good as mgs3. What a game that was.

[Davgooner]

HOI IV is released tomorrow. Blinding. :happycry:

[ItalAussie]

So I've started Grim Fandango Remastered and I think I'm already going to have to resort to a walkthrough because the game has given me what appears to be a vague instruction and then left me to my own devices. I have a bunch of stuff in my inventory but there's been no real guidance on how I'm supposed to be doing the next thing it's told me to do.

Maybe I'm just a moron.

Sigh.

Grim Fandango is normally pretty sound about puzzles (tough but sign-posted fairly enough), but it has one or two total logic-benders. When you need to get past the dominos to reach the bonewagon somewhere in the fourth year, don't even try and puzzle it out. Look up the answer. Also, ironically enough, the sign-post puzzle.

Talking to everyone is essential, as there is often sound advice buried in the conversation trees. Also, Manny turns to look at things that are important, which can include innocuous props that you're meant to pick up. Pay attention to what he's looking at.

Man, I love Rubacava. Best city in video games.

[CJay]

Strong rumours that a remastered edition of Skyrim for next-gen is going to be announced at E3. :drool:

[Shindig]

X Com 2 is arriving on consoles. Also, Persona 5.

14/2/2017 (in the United States ... awww.)

[Raoul Duke]

Strong rumours that a remastered edition of Skyrim for next-gen is going to be announced at E3. :drool:

I heard that too. That would be fucking immense.

[CJay]

Wouldn't it. Did you not play it on PC, or am I thinking of Disco? I would have to seriously consider buying an XB1 especially for it after I get married. Not sure how that discussion would go with Mrs Cjay, though. :D

Yev's reaction:

https://memecrunch.com/image/50f06e87afa96f2f45000052.jpg?w=400

[Disco]

I played it on PC, and a 'remastered' edition sounds a lot like their adding an ENB and a few other existing mods and calling it good.

[Ian]

I'm tempted to reinstall Skyrim just to see how it looks on the PC I've bought since then.

[Raoul Duke]

I played it a bit and then sold my PC, so didn't get to complete it. I'd love a second crack at it.

[Disco]

I'm tempted to reinstall Skyrim just to see how it looks on the PC I've bought since then.

The mod slog puts me off, I know I'd end up spending hours setting it up and then lose interest after 5 minutes.

[Ian]

Well yeah, I know I'd lose interest so I wouldn't bother with the mods. Aside from one to let me skip the intro, maybe.

[Raoul Duke]

I'd play it from the start with Sky UI. Bethesda just can't do user interfaces.

[Ian]

Sky UI. :drool:

[Shindig]

I can't imagine me going back to Skyrim. 1 playthrough at 120 hours was enough. I'm back into Shadow of Mordor, though. Finally running a string of captain kills together. 2 more Warchiefs before this game apparently opens up.

[CJay]

Isn't the idea to make mods available on Xbox a la Fallout 4?

[Dark Soldier]

-54 on this week's Golf Club tourney and might not even get a top 10. Holy shit.

[Boydy]

HOI IV is released tomorrow. Blinding. :happycry:

What's this like? I read on some of the Steam reviews that its been simplified a bit which sounds good to me. Hearts of Iron always appealed but then when I actually tried it, it was far too complex.

[ItalAussie]

-54 on this week's Golf Club tourney and might not even get a top 10. Holy shit.

What's par? 72?

(I know nothing about the game, and not much about golf, but -54 seems very impressive to me :D )

[Dark Soldier]

What's par? 72?

(I know nothing about the game, and not much about golf, but -54 seems very impressive to me :D )

Par 72 on the current course. No bogies, two eagles and an average of 21 putts a round, yet the leader won with -63 :D

Came joint 6th in the end, my third best finish of the season.

[ItalAussie]

Par 72 on the current course. No bogies, two eagles and an average of 21 putts a round, yet the leader won with -63 :D

Came joint 6th in the end, my third best finish of the season.

I assume it has to be nine holes, to get -63? I mean, that's nine holes-in-one, if my counting is correct. :D

[Ian]

Getting into the swing of things a bit with Grim Fandango now.It does fall into some classic adventure game pitfalls but generally it still feels pretty slick, the characters are good, the setting is wonderful and the story is building up nicely.

[Pepe]

The controls though. :sick:

[Disco]

Who hates tank controls?

[Ian]

I could live without having to hold shift (I should check if toggle run is an option) after I click but the controls aren't bothering me.

[Dark Soldier]

I assume it has to be nine holes, to get -63? I mean, that's nine holes-in-one, if my counting is correct. :D

Its 72 holes, a four 'day' tournament ala real life. So a birdie is one stroke less than the par for that hole, so that puts you -1 etc. So parred about 20 holes and birdy/eagled the rest. Pretty much nothing like real life, but its what you have to do to compete in game.

Should move me near top 70 in the world though. The world number one is so far ahead of everyone its unreal.

EDIT: This is the tourney for reference: http://tgctours.com/Tournament/Leaderboard/1223?showEarnings=true

The guy in first is who I play with regularly, phenomenal player, I'm sitting snugly in joint 6th, world 85th. Its the pro tour so all the games elite compete on Euro or PGA.

[Disco]

I could live without having to hold shift (I should check if toggle run is an option) after I click but the controls aren't bothering me.

Thankfully you never really need much precise movement, bit of a culture shock to begin with though.

[Shindig]

The best part of that golf leaderboard is how the real names correspond to their PSN names. "Hi, I'm Alan but you can call me dylanxx."

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6P5gpNan0

Really hoping that they drop another trailer this year at E3 or at the very least confirm a release date.

It could be fucking mega.

[Disco]

The best part of that golf leaderboard is how the real names correspond to their PSN names. "Hi, I'm Alan but you can call me dylanxx."

Hi my name is Clive but you can call me xxxFaTaL1tYxxx

[Shindig]

Battlefield 1 features no trenches or mustard gas. Boo.

[Disco]

I'm actually ok with them not including the least dynamic aspect of WW1, after all a large part of it was nowhere near the Western Front. Although I'm sure they'll have some kind of trench system on at least one map.

[ItalAussie]

Its 72 holes, a four 'day' tournament ala real life. So a birdie is one stroke less than the par for that hole, so that puts you -1 etc. So parred about 20 holes and birdy/eagled the rest. Pretty much nothing like real life, but its what you have to do to compete in game.

Should move me near top 70 in the world though. The world number one is so far ahead of everyone its unreal.

EDIT: This is the tourney for reference: http://tgctours.com/Tournament/Leaderboard/1223?showEarnings=true

The guy in first is who I play with regularly, phenomenal player, I'm sitting snugly in joint 6th, world 85th. Its the pro tour so all the games elite compete on Euro or PGA.

Oh, I get it now. That's a little more understandable, and still very, very cool.

Closest I've ever gotten to anything like that was sneaking into the world top 500 in Spelunky for a bit.

[Dark Soldier]

Cheers man, up to 76th after last week and its the US Open at Oakmont this week. Very tough course :ae:

[Shindig]

The end of the Ubisoft conference looks a lot like a last stand. Vivendi must be real close to a takeover.

[Dark Soldier]

The new Trials is absolute, 100% shit for cunts. Burn Ubisoft down.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPHkWUP47os


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ruMnYVqsS4

I cannot fucking wait.

[Pleb]

I hear Crash Bandicoot is getting remastered?

[Shindig]

Yup. The first three of them.

[Pleb]

Sweet :cool:

[Gray Fox]

He's also now a Skylander.

[Pleb]

They need to remaster the Spyro games while they are at it.

[Ian]

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/14/phoenix-point-new-xcom-julian-gollop/

:drool:

EDIT: Also...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=140&v=lNFtACeifcU

Want.

[Shindig]

Think I'm done with Mordor. Got two more warchiefs to brand but that involves branding their 5 or so bodyguards so I can just watch them get rushed. And then the end, I guess. Save scumming to prevent the Nemesis system ticking over is shit but a necessary evil at this point.

[Ian]

Getting into Grim Fandango now. The bit where it gives you the option to try and pick up the giant cat litter and Manny just laughs at you uproariously gave me a good chuckle.

Donned the open mic as well.

[Ian]

https://youtu.be/ZeEVws7f8uk

No idea what's going on here but I'm rather curious.

[Disco]

There's a bit more info here:

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/15/we-happy-few-early-access-release-date/

[Ian]

Somehow missed that one. Sounds intriguing, hope they pull it off.

[Pepe]

That sounds too awesome to work.

[Shindig]

At best, its another survival thing aiming to be The Prisoner.

[Ian]

Yeah, hit a few bits in Grim Fandango there where the puzzles made enough sense after I'd got them but I don't think the dots always connect in an especially sensible way.

Still, I'm loving the characters and setting.

[Shindig]

3 left for Crackdown but I'm crossing it off my list. Dumb fun but it showing its age (9 years old, sheesh) and, whilst the sandbox is a neat idea, there's literally a front door and a back door to every boss.

[Ian]

Oh, there's another thing about Grim Fandango: one puzzle was actually harder because I wasn't using the tank controls. :D :moop:

[Shindig]

Well, Crackdown got finished swiftly. Wang's tower is some ridiculous game of death madness.

[Gray Fox]

Speaking of Crackdown, wasn't a new one announced at E3 2015 and we've heard fuck all since?

I like the look of We Happy Few a lot. It's something different and it'll be coming without any massive expectation like your AAA titles get. I also like the art style.

[Shindig]

It was delayed into 2017 before this year's E3. Something tells me Microsoft's mandate to have first party titles on PC and cross platform has threw a spanner in the works.

[P_3]

Started Alien Isolation last night. Spent the first hour crawling from dark space to dark space with nothing but the ship making groaning noises around me. All I have is a bunch of flares and some medkits. Not sure I can use either to bash the alien round the noggin with when I eventually stumble upon it.

[Ian]

I liked the atmosphere and everything of Isolation but I was already tiring of being quite so vulnerable and so having to move quite so slowly when it then told me I was going to have to turn around and spend however long returning to somewhere I'd been what felt like aeons before.

Sacked it off.

[John]

That 'We Happy Few' looks shit hot.

I started playing 'Until Dawn' the other night, having had it sitting there unplayed as a freebie for ages. It's reasonably well made but every character is such an insufferable arsehole that I couldn't get past about two hours. One character walks into a room with 'DIE DIE DIE DIE' written on the walls in her mate's blood and her reaction is 'Ugh, unfollow'. Fuck right off, game.

[wullie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGej8K1r8KI

I like the look of Days Gone. It might just swipe from Last Of Us and Dead Rising and the million of other similar games, but it ticks all the boxes early on for me.

[phonics]

I'm so, so sick of Zombies at this point. We get it, you can't be bothered to code AI.

[Shindig]

I finally tried Echochrome today. That game controls poorly.

[Raoul Duke]

Embedded videos that you can't fullscreen is the devil's work :moop:

That looks alright, but it seems like it takes the worst part of Fallout 4 (freakin ghouls) and builds an entire game around them. I hate them :(

[P_3]

The alien's AI is shocking. I'm on mission 5 hunting some medical supplies and I've just bumped into it. It crawled out of a vent and is now just pacing from room to room like a deranged pensioner looking for a pair of glasses. You'd expect it to maybe stay in a room and investigate it top to bottom and occasionally jump back into a vent for a sneak attack on an unsuspecting fool, but no. Just doing its stupid walk. :cab:

[Andrew]

Great game despite the annoying alien totally random if it spots you or not and it becomes more annoying than scary the longer the game goes on.

All in all though enjoyed it from start to finish.

[CJay]

Metro 2033 is pleasantly creepy. I'm terrible at it, but Ranger Hardcore mode should be how all games are played. I love the scenes above ground. Snowy apocalyptic Moscow is nice.

A game where you have to charge your flashlight. :drool:

[Shindig]

There's a new Kick Off in 2016. It's bugged beyond belief.

[P_3]

Yeah, facehuggers can fuck off. Scripted, instant death-dealing wankers and if you kill them with a weapon the alien turns up. Nevertheless completed Isolation without too much of a problem. The traipsing to and from different areas quickly got dull and where was the choice for me to fuck everyone off and just getting off Sevastopol on the Torrens. Could have been home and dry before mission 6.

[P_3]

Just played through Season 1 of The Walking Dead. Clem was so absolutely adorable, loved her to bits and made every decision I had to make revolve around her. Wasn't a big fan of the other characters, but they did all pull together to make the whole story enjoyable. Episode 5 was heartbreaking but I kept my manhood intact enough to not cry at the end. Shame that they couldn't include a number of endings affected by your choices through all the episodes. Would have made this even better.

[Shindig]

I feel like anything that tracks decisions is bound to compromise itself at some point. I didn't entirely like how they resolved the stuff in Episode 5. Not the ending, that was built up well.

The Stranger. Even though he's been a thread for the second half of the series, I just couldn't shake the idea he was there solely to go, "HEY! WE REMEMBER THIS CHOICE YOU MADE!"

With me playing the two series out order, I'm not sure which one is better but I'm looking forward to series three.

[Andrew]

Just managed to get every single trophy in Bloodborne and had a cool theme emailed to me by Sony which was a nice touch.

This game is probably the best I've ever played currently smashing new game +++ and still not bored of it.

[Baz]

Re Walking Dead, the first series was tough going for me but more enjoyable. The second one filled me with rage multiple times, but easier to get through.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Decided to get PSnow and started on God of War. Only defeated Hydra thus far but what a game.

No idea how I didn't get on it when it first game out on PS2.

[Disco]

Here's a shocker, some people on the internet are dishonest.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8fU2QG-lV0

More shocking is that anyone gives enough of a shit about weapon skins to bother with any of this rubbish. Ban this sick filth.

[five time]

Yeah I saw that. Having the age limit at 13 for what is effectively gambling is a bit shady.

Although spending money to get these skins or Fifa packs in the first place isn't too far from gambling itself.

[Disco]

Buying keys for crates is absolutely gambling (even if it doesn't qualify by the letter of the law) just like Pachinko is clearly gambling.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/nintendo-to-bring-back-the-nes--with-30-preloaded-games-includin/

Tempting.

[selina_miller]

Hello Everyone, I'm playing Hitman Absolution second time. It's just an amazing thriller game and great graphics which I have never seen before. I loved to play Hitman and He's my game play role model. All the missions are excellent and very interesting parts.

[Pepe]

I think I might get that classic Nintendo thing. Mario 3 and Punch Out are all I need really.

[Pepe]

No Contra is a bit of a shame though.

[Shindig]

I'd rather grab a Wii for £20 and load it with virtual console stuff.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think I might get that classic Nintendo thing. Mario 3 and Punch Out are all I need really.

If you don't do punch out blindfolded you're a dick.

[Pepe]

Already been done. I'll do it with no hands.

[Shindig]

He types with his mind. DOOM is apparently cheap everywhere at the minute.

GAME - £24.99 (£22.49 used)
Tesco (instore only) - £26
Sainsbury's - £30

Asda in the realm of not giving a fuck at £46. GAME are also shifting Uncharted 4 for £35.

[phonics]

Hello Everyone, I'm playing Hitman Absolution second time. It's just an amazing thriller game and great graphics which I have never seen before. I loved to play Hitman and He's my game play role model. All the missions are excellent and very interesting parts.

Has everyone just ignored this post for a reason? :cab:

[Shindig]

I honestly thought it was Harold.

[Disco]

I've never played Hitman after the first one, plus I half thought it was a bot.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The hitman isn't your role model? For shame.

[Disco]

Give my hairline a few years and I might come round to the idea.

[Shindig]

I'm er... getting there. Blood Money and the new one are probable classics. Not sure if I've done a right thing by waiting til the January 2017 disc release, though. You can kill Gary Busey right this second.

[Disco]

The original was great but suffered from some dubious AI, mainly that they'd clock you were an imposter if you held your gun in a slightly incorrect position. Stuffing people in cupboards was great though.

[Shindig]

First proper casualty on X-Com. It was my own fault. I had a sniper pinned down and decided to point-blank some shit percentage instead of falling back.

[Andrew]

Finally got bored of replaying Bloodborne after finishing NG++++ also my first game I've managed to platinum a lot of fun but the boss fights were getting more of a grindfest towards the end as thier HP pools were getting massive.

Currently playing The Last Of Us on the PS4, great game I seemed to have missed the first time round.

Seems like all the games I've got for my PS4 are remastered versions of old PS3 games....

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was going to hold off on No Man's Sky for a little but The Game Collection are selling it for £37.34 with the code 'BIRTHDAY11' so I bit.

[Raoul Duke]

I had some Tesco Clubcard vouchers so I used them. Will be waiting for me when I get back from holiday :drool:

[Shindig]

YAKUZA 5 IS FREE NEXT WEEK ON PS PLUS

Dust off, repurchase or steal a PS3 for the game Shenmue can never be.

Our podcast went up. Yours truly guesting on it. Oof. http://www.playstationcountry.com/playstation-country-podcast-episode-4/

[Ian]

Near Death sounds swish:
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/05/near-death-antarctic-singleplayer-survival-game-released/#more-388121

[Shindig]

Guys, Yakuza 0 is coming to the West in January.

[phonics]

Deus Ex 1 is for sale for 25p if you're one of those nerds that hasn't yet realised that it was a terrible game.

[Ian]

Terrible game. Good one.

[Shindig]

I have it on the PS2. I've barely played past the first level. Meanwhile, I restarted Resident Evil because I had no ammo for the hunters. This time around I'm more prepared.

[Ian]

The hunters. Urgh. Total bastards.

Give me a tyrant any day.

[Shindig]

Yeah, I fancy avoiding them and their decapitating clotheslines at least til the second Yawn fight.

[elth]

The combat in Deus Ex really spoils what is otherwise a good game. I wouldn't go back to it.

Nearly finished Warhammer 40k: Space Marine, which is the most "alright if you like that sort of thing" game I've ever played.

[Ian]

Even when I revisited the original Deus Ex about five years ago I really enjoyed it, but then I'm a cowardy custard and avoid direct fights as much as possible in these sorts of things.

"Laputan machine." :cool:

Fuck you, Hermann.

[Shindig]

Slim PS4 coming in September, along with the Neo being announced.

[elth]

Anyone tried the F2P Forza game on PC?

[Disco]

Is that the one they were pushing to get people into the new GFWL? Although presumably that's all rolled into Windows 10 now anyway, so it's a bit of a moot point.

In short, no.

[elth]

Yeah, you just grab it from the "Windows Store".

It's an interesting little slice of Forza. Bit shallow and gimmicky so far, race option wise, but I've been having some fun with it and it's still Forza.

[phonics]

The Fast & Furious 'FreeLC' thing they did was ingenious marketing from both sides. Almost convinced me to get Horizons 2.

[7om]

After the No Mans Sky disappointment I've gone back to the Wii U and been playing Splatoon and Mario Kart all weekend.

[phonics]

Battlefield One Beta is out. I'd tell you how it is but EA servers are down. Well played EA. Well played.

[7om]

Can't wait for it to come out but still haven't pre-ordered so won't be playing the beta.

I played the shit out of Battlefield Hardline and recently found a website that tracks your progress / stats. I'm #240 in the world in total score for one particular game mode :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You don't need to preorder it to get the beta. Just sign up for battlefield insider, mongo.

[7om]

Sign ups are closed anyway, keep up.

[phonics]

You don't need to sign up for anything. It's an Open Beta.

Not that the servers work anyway.

[Shindig]

Journey's coming to PS+ next month. As is Lords of the Fallen.

[Mike]

Played Overcooked before with Baz and The Reid. It was proper good.

We're on Worms WMD now, it's a bit slow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Played a little Battlefield 1 today, first impressions are good.

Almost cried when I was killed about 15 seconds after getting on a horse :(

[Disco]

I am tempted to have a look, the big question is can I remember my Origin login?

[Disco]

First try :cool:

Downloading now, may be around later this evening to give it a try. How long is the beta open for?

[Shindig]

PS4 Slim out next week. £259. Effectively replaces the old model.
PS4 Pro out November 10th. £349.

No mention of VR at this meeting aside from a flippant quip that mentions a big performance difference between standard PS4 and Pro. :uhoh:

[Raoul Duke]

I'll be getting the Pro. Should be a nice boost and I'll probably be able to flog my other one second hand.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What's the pro? Just 4k?

Any reason to buy if you don't have a 4k screen?

[Raoul Duke]

Today, Sony unveiled its newest addition to its console lineup, the long-rumored PlayStation 4 Neo, which is being called the PlayStation 4 Pro. During the company’s meeting in New York City, Sony confirmed that the upgraded model of its current generation console would support "true" 4K gaming and HDR display.

Sony also confirmed some of the specs for the PlayStation 4 Pro that had been rumored leading up to the event. It will have more than double the GPU power than the current model, as reported back in April, and a boosted clock speed to the CPU. The Pro will also come with a 1TB HDD internal hard drive.

http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/7/12829518/playstation-4-neo-specs-pro

[Dark Soldier]

Improved performance on all games, that's about it.

EDIT: Mahow

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm undecided then. It does look pretty though :\

[Shindig]

1TB hard drive, as well. No Ultra HD Blu Ray player, which has some wankers needlessly annoyed. Scorpio's out next Christmas, if you really want something faster but I'd rather wait til 4k HDR TVs become affordable.

[Raoul Duke]

I'll look at getting a 4k monitor at a later point too. It's been on my list for a while, but I've not really had a reason to get one.

[Mazuuurk]

When is Final Fantasy VII remake out? I'll get the PS4 just for that.

[phonics]

When is Final Fantasy VII remake out? I'll get the PS4 just for that.

2018 (the first half)

[Mazuuurk]

U wot? Damn. Will there not even be like a PS5 by then!?

[John]

U wot? Damn. Will there not even be like a PS5 by then!?

The cycle is about seven years, and the PS4 hasn't even been out for three yet.

[Demerit]

I think this cycle will be longer than most anyway with the Pro and Scorpio adding a few more years to the lifespan.

[Mazuuurk]

The cycle is about seven years, and the PS4 hasn't even been out for three yet.

Ah, I see. Seems like a lot longer!

[phonics]

I don't think there will be a console cycle anymore. With the Pro they'll start going Apple style and introducing a new one when it's economical to do so. They'll do Pro 1,2,3 then rebrand etc. They're basically PC's nowadays since they're both running off x86 architecture.

[Disco]

If people buy this just a couple of years after the PS4 was launched then you can bet there'll be a new one every few years, there'll be incremental improvements (ooohhh 4k, or you know just 1080p upscaled in order to placate graphics wankers) and they'll want you to pay £400+ each time for the privilege. I really don't know why anyone would fall for it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If people buy this just a couple of years after the PS4 was launched then you can bet there'll be a new one every few years, there'll be incremental improvements (ooohhh 4k, or you know just 1080p upscaled in order to placate graphics wankers) and they'll want you to pay £400+ each time for the privilege. I really don't know why anyone would fall for it.

Yet it works incredibly well for Apple.

[Disco]

And I'm continually amazed that people fall for their shit too.

'Oh you have a new thing that's functionally identical to the one I have now (and pretty much all the others you've made) apart from you took something off and made it even flimsier, of course here's several hundred pounds see you again next year!'

It's baffling behaviour.

[John]

Clearing a load of shit out of the loft today and I've happened upon the box with my PS2 and Gamecube in it. San Andreas and Final Fantasy 10. :drool:

[Shindig]

If people buy this just a couple of years after the PS4 was launched then you can bet there'll be a new one every few years, there'll be incremental improvements (ooohhh 4k, or you know just 1080p upscaled in order to placate graphics wankers) and they'll want you to pay £400+ each time for the privilege. I really don't know why anyone would fall for it.

In a few ways, its different to the Apple situation in that developers are clearly pushing for this. EA, Activision and Ubisoft all got prominent demos yesterday. They want better looking games for better looking sales and more expensive games. Sony needs the software sales because no console maker (with the possible exception of Nintendo) makes money off hardware. The boxes that hit the market in 2013 were seen as modest PCs. Since then there's a GPU scrap going on between AMD and NVidia's new cards. 4K TV is desperate to get traction and now HDR is another bulletpoint.

Its a perfect storm for a technology-driven marketplace. And they've been thinking about this probably since the first year these consoles launched. The PC's become more of a threat and they have to advance like this to keep the big developers sweet.

Sony's messaging to developers has been decent, mind. They released a list a while back that was effectively a code of conduct. You cannot cut out the 'have nots' from the 'haves'.

[Raoul Duke]

I would expect to see something like major/minor upgrade cycles of around 5-7 years (total). So:

- PS4 (Nov) 2013
- PS4 Pro 2016
- PS5 in about 2019/2020
- PS5 Pro approx. 2023

(:cab:)

[Shindig]

Yes. Technology doesn't move fast enough for the usual 7-year itch to get upset. With the Pro being forwards compatible, I could theoretically grab one on the cheap by the time 4k HDR sets hit my desired price range.

[Dark Soldier]

Tropico 4 is completely free for the next day and a half or so on the Humble Bundle website. Supposed to be a good series of games so I've grabbed it. Its a Steam code they give you, if you've never used the site before.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've not gotten 3, 4 and 5 for free.

Mon 1 and 2.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wasn't necessarily planning on buying the new Lego Star Wars but CDkeys are doing the deluxe for £11.39 and couldn't help myself.

[John]

Journey is free on PS+ at the moment for those who haven't played it. :drool:

[Shindig]

It was lush. I especially liked the bit when the person that was with me dropped out. "Oh, they're medita... ARGH!!!"

[Disco]

Original Sin 2 out in early access, that's going to be hard to resist.

[phonics]

I don't see why you'd want to play an RPG before half the content is in it. May as well just crack open KOTOR 2.

[Disco]

Well I do, so I might.

[Shindig]

Lords of the Fallen is a complete cunt's dinner. I don't feel like I've missed much but this compulsory enemy I have to face is actually invincible. I've found the bosses to be an alright challenge but now the bread and butter is some serious no-poise bullshit.

[Disco]

I've finally got Divine Divinity working and it's quite fun (if a touch impenetrable) so far, unfortunately there's no windowed option so I can't watch it while the GP is on.

[Disco]

I decided to try and finish off Ronin but I'd forgotten what a fucking shitheap the last level is, developers should be lined up and shot for such dickery.

PUT A FUCKING CHECKPOINT IN YOU WANKER, THE FIRST HALF OF YOUR LEVEL IS NOT SO GOOD I WANT TO PLAY IT A BILLION TIMES.

[Disco]

Done, deleted, snotty review written. Fuck off the list you dickhead.


Last level aside it's pretty good by the way.

[Shindig]

Restarted Lords of the Fallen because like, I apparently missed a lot of stuff. Powered through back to where I was but I encountered this mad slowdown thing that feels like a memory leak. I'm hitting harder but not feeling much more accomplished.

[John]

I played Journey before on PS3 and didn't bother getting it again because although it looked absolutely beautiful it didn't seem like the sort of graphics intensive game that would benefit too much from being on a more powerful platform. Fuck me was I wrong, it's somehow even more beautiful on PS4. Every bit as great as I remember.

[Disco]

Having read this today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7u0vjjcScU&list=WL&index=19

I did have a chuckle at this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7u0vjjcScU&list=WL&index=19

There's also an episode of Fuck Konami at the end (about the 11min mark) for the curious.

[Shindig]

I really don't understand the thing Konami do with PES on the PC. Anyway, I've followed Journey up with Dear Esther. That was an alright two hours. Really, really nice to look at and it builds.

[Ian]

On the subject of walk 'em ups I think my next game will be Firewatch.

[Shindig]

That's probably my favourite one.

[Disco]

I really don't understand the thing Konami do with PES on the PC. Anyway, I've followed Journey up with Dear Esther. That was an alright two hours. Really, really nice to look at and it builds.

What's to understand, it's simply a lazy way to shovel something out the door in the hope that some people don't realise what they're buying.

[Boydy]

What have they done?

[Disco]

The PC version is an old 360 build rather than a port of the current game.

[Boydy]

Oh right, that again.

I still bought it last year as I tried FIFA and didn't like it Pro Evo still played a better game of football. Maybe EA does the same thing anyway, I don't know.

[Shindig]

EA used to do the same thing for a fair few years.

[Baz]

On the subject of walk 'em ups I think my next game will be Firewatch.i should probably finish that because I'm apparently less than ten minutes away from the end. Problem is I just don't care about the dickhead characters enough to bother.

[Shindig]

Thinking back, I'm not sure I care that much about them either. Although I did care about how to direct their relationship, if that makes sense. Henry's going through some shit, to be fair. I've went through Dear Esther with the commentary on which now really helps flesh some stuff out.

EDIT: Lords of the Fallen's given me a really decent boss at last. 3 left but my new weapon is clattering fools.

[Ian]

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/23/the-signal-from-tolva-preview/#more-400261

The Signal from Tolva, by the Sir, You Are Being Hunted devs. Sounds interesting, or as much as it can based on that incredibly small hands-on.

[Shindig]

Looks like I'm heading back into Bloodborne. The Old Hunters is £6.39.

[Yevrah]

Is The Bunker any good?

I'm guessing not.

[Disco]

Reviews praise the performances and production but by all accounts is more of a vaguely interactive film than a game.

[phonics]

FMV games are always bad games. I enjoyed Contradiction quite a bit for what it was due to the fact it had an actual mechanic.

[Shindig]

Okay, this UK copy of Bloodborne doesn't get on with the UK DLC. Sony's shut up shop for the night and can't manage a simple email.

Fuck sake. Having some fun with CUSA numbers. Disc says 00208 (UK), as does the box art. The save file has it down as 00207 which is Australian. Or it could just be that neither of my characters have beat the boss to trigger it. :moop:

[Andrew]

Okay, this UK copy of Bloodborne doesn't get on with the UK DLC. Sony's shut up shop for the night and can't manage a simple email.

Fuck sake. Having some fun with CUSA numbers. Disc says 00208 (UK), as does the box art. The save file has it down as 00207 which is Australian. Or it could just be that neither of my characters have beat the boss to trigger it. :moop:

If I remember right you need to beat the cathedral ward boss, then pick up some item from the messengers go to the odean chapel then let that monster grab you and it sends you there.

[Shindig]

Aye, I didn't have a character up to that point, annoyingly.

[Ian]

Went back to Pillars of Eternity and almost immediately had to wangle my way around a bug that wasn't game-breaking but would have ruined it for me that the devs are aware of but have failed to fix. Welcome back, Ian.

[Shindig]

Phew, the DLC is sorted. I look forward to seeing it in 30 hours time.

[wullie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kAYh4MJFc8

Virginia is a first person X-Files/Twin Peaks kind of game set in the 90s, from that alone I bought it. All you actually do is walk forward or press X to advance a 90 minute cutscene while a nonsense story plays out hoping you'll catch the subtle subtext it shouts at you.

[Shindig]

I really like its style but I've heard it shits the bed. That said, these are the things I like.

[Raoul Duke]

I really like its style but I've heard it shits the bed. That said, these are the things I like.

Bed shitting?

[Shindig]

'Yes'. Magic's sorting me out with some videos.

[Spikey M]

If Shiners inbox isn't full of scat from all angles by now I will be very disapointed

[Kikó]

I was playing This War of Mine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_War_of_Mine) yesterday. Really grim strategy survival type game based in Yugoslavia in the 90s. Very addictive despite being simple in concept and really grim. Losing someone completely depresses your guys.

And robbing some old persons house was no fun either.

[wullie]

I got a certain way in but haven't got back to it yet, but I really struggled with the idea of looting other people's houses. That and Papers, Please in particular hit the right notes in that regard.

[Patje]

This War of Mine sits in my Steam list. Still looking for the right moment to start playing it. Perhaps when the kids are away for a week or so.
Papers, Please sometimes made me feel like a real bastard.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was too okay with everything in Papers, Please. A little worrying that I was only concerned with efficiently dealing with people who didn't have the right documents.

[Raoul Duke]

The music in Papers, Please was too awesome. It overruled everything else.

[Shindig]

Once I sort this unfinished business with Bloodborne I'll probably get on to Resi Remake. I still fancy getting deep into Ninja Gaiden Sigma again and maybe finally giving God Hand a go. And I think that NES Classic thing is due out soon.

[Ian]

Been playing some multiplayer Sir, You Are Being Hunted with Cord, then watched a load of Youtube videos about it and have now started my first single player save on it in an age. I've found some lovely letters from our friendly robot overlords.

http://i.imgur.com/1oWWN42.png
http://i.imgur.com/Rci8Ae7.png

[Ian]

Also I'd installed This War of Mine last week so after the mentions upthread I gave it a bash tonight. Blimey, it's cheerful.

It's also really tight with you even really early, to the point that I snuck to a garage in the night and almost knife a dude who so far as I know is just another guy like me because I know I'm probably going back to a house with no food. I didn't and thankfully a trader came the next day and I could trade some stuff.

[Dan]

Yeah, you really don't want to go around shanking innocents. Even stealing food when you're all starving causes half the characters to collapse with guilt, so killing someone would probably destroy half your camp.

[Kikó]

I didn't realise the moral complexities and my guys all rolled about in guilt when we raided some old persons house. Then because we couldn't give someone some food, another pang of guilt. Eventually after the third night in a row with the house being raided, the cook hung himself on day 19 and ended it all.

I've started again and not made the same mistake and having people actually guard the building when they're asleep. Initially, I didn't realise and the house was raided and led to mega depression again. I've got the combat trained dude, the quiet sneaky lady and the suicidal cook. This time we have two beds, a stove, a radio but a load of hunger.

[Ian]

I've still only got three people but I've always had one sleeping in bed, one scavenging, one on guard. I've now got two beds so I can catch up on all the tiredness through the day. I've also been trying to stay away from any spots that aren't abandoned/manned by cunts.

[Ian]

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/06/new-beyond-good-and-evil-game-confirmed/

If it ever actually comes out it's going to be shit isn't it?

[Disco]

Wasn't there a trailer for that like 10 years ago?

[Ian]

Yeah. Had Jade and Pey'j moping about a broken down car.

[Shindig]

I should really play the HD version of the first one they gave away, shouldn't I?

[Ian]

Did you play it first time around? I played it at the time and never since. No idea how it'd hold up now playing for the first time.

[Shindig]

Nope. I'd be going in fresh.

[phonics]

I beta tested (the original, I must have been in Year 9 or so) it years ago. Later on in the level you had to do some jumping over lasers while on conveyor belts. It controlled like such garbage I couldn't get past it, I have no idea if they fixed it / it made it into the game or not because it left me with such scar tissue I refused to play it.

[Shindig]

Today I venture into the world of gaming headsets. There's not a single one around that doesn't have 5%-10% 1 star Amazon reviews, do they? "This broke within five seconds of me exposing it to the elements." I'm heading towards a HyperX Cloud II but any last minute recommendations will be grateful.

[Spikey M]

Buy the cheapest. It's not as if you need to hear multiple 14 year old American kids tell you 'you're a fag' in perfect clarity.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I have the Hyper X.

It's 'reet good.

I went through about 3-4 cheap headsets before deciding to just spend a bit. The Third Hard massive had to struggle through those first few.

[Disco]

I use Steelseries Siberia, never had a problem and they're comfortable enough to wear for ages.

[Shindig]

HyperX Cloud's bought. Currently getting some biblical feedback from the headphones. £50.

[phonics]

Anyone else getting on Mafia 3? Should I bother starting a thread?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm undecided.

I've never played the first two and it never feels right just jumping in, however the adverts are selling it to me.

[Disco]

The PC release would appear to be a bit bobbins so no, at least not before multiple patches and a sale.

[Shindig]

I have the first one but it doesn't seem to get on with modern graphics cards. Or at least the first mission doesn't know what to do with itself.

[Ian]

The first is better than the second but it's also aged like an absolute pig and has two levels which are absolutely awful (the first one and the race one) so while the second is the lesser game I'd be tempted to suggest reading the story of the first and play the second if you really wanted to do them. I will be playing the third at some point but not for a while I suspect.

This War of Mine is very easy to get sucked into because each day and each night doesn't take that long to play. I stole some food because all three of my guys are on the cusp of starvation and they all felt terrible about it. I've got some weapon parts but no means of making anything useful. A lot of the places open for me to scavenge now have wrong'uns in them. Not sure whether to take my knife to one of them and see if I can't manage some stealth kills. Otherwise I'm going to struggle for supplies.

[Patje]

I've finished the first game 3 times. Never understood the troubles with the race. The second game I've only played once.
I think Mafia III has arrived by now, I'll know when I get home next week.

Should finish Deus Ex Mankind Divided first. Barely had time to game lately and when I did, it was card games on the Ipad. :D

[Spikey M]

Mafia 2 (PS3) was fucking brilliant. Never played the first one. I will be getting the latest one.

[Ian]

The 'review in progress' that Walker's posted on RPS is less than favourable so far. I'll be interested to see how other PC reviews hold up.

Never an encouraging sign when reviews aren't allowed before release though, is it?

[phonics]

I've played the first 2-3 hours. Works fine on High graphics with my GT 670. It's presentation style is frankly, fucking excellent and shames anything else that came before it.

[Disco]

The setting itself looks great, the music and the city seems really well realised but the graphics are definitely slightly sub par. Not bad enough to affect the experience but expect the graphics wankers to be complaining about it.

[Ian]

That's my first run at This War of Mine finished. Grim stuff. Started with three, gained two extra people. Two got killed out scavenging, two died of illness and the fifth nicked what was left of our supplies and ran away while she herself was terminally ill.

About the only moment I got to do anything even vaguely heroic was near the end when my last scavenger saved a girl from getting raped.... albeit by knifing to death the soldier who was going to do it.

[Raoul Duke]

Is this some kind of depression simulator? Why would you choose to "play" this?

[Ian]

It's half base-building, half stealthy gather-'em-up. Being set in the siege of Sarajevo obviously doesn't but it's strangely compelling. The little victories keep you going.

"The Little Ones" DLC can get fucked, though. I'm not having a child kicking about with the labels 'Depressed', 'Very Hungry' and 'Seriously Ill.'

[Shindig]

"Your child has seen and conducted cold-blooded murder. Needs coffee."

I watched a Co-optional podcast for the first time in ages and a couple of things struck me. 1) videogamedunkey's real voice is his real voice and 2) I can imagine Totalbiscuit's condition is a terrifying thing to see on a weekly basis. :(

[phonics]

Is this some kind of depression simulator? Why would you choose to "play" this?

I think the same every time someone mentions Darkest Dungeon.

[Ian]

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/12/beyond-good-evil-download-free/

Might need to get in on that. See if it still holds up (if I ever get around to replaying it...)

[Ian]

Played Firewatch this afternoon. I bloody love games like this and Gone Home where they're fairly easy-going but absorbing in their own way and take up a rainy afternoon.

The ending was a tad unsatisfying but I'm not sure how they could really have made it better. I thought there was going to be some payoff based on what you took pictures of and what things you took with you at the end.

Enjoyed it a lot though.

[Shindig]

I think people were expecting some kind of awesome thriller ending but what they deliver fits with the themes they were after.