Gaming The RedCafe General/Random Gaming Chat Thread

amolbhatia50k said:
Tunic - It’s a superbly made video game that masquerades as a cutsie chill time but is actually quite difficult and unforgiving. What struck me throughout was how well designed a game it was. The combat though fairly basic is satisfying, the visual and audio design is strong, but the highly is definitely the sense of discovery largely aided by its lack of hand holding and novel “game manual” system.

The only thing it lacked for me was a strong final act - where it could have ascended into greatness I thought the last few hours dragged and hence didn’t have any emotional impact on me. For example, i just played Inscryption before his and its last few hours made me think about the game and yearn for more after completing it.

8.6/10

Far Cry 6 - I have to admit, I like the Far Cry series. While I find Assassins Creed a fundamentally and actively unfun video game that exasperates the problem by also being absurdly bloats thus demanding to wallow in its unfun-ness, Far Cry is dumb fun but fun regardless. I enjoyed 5 and I once again enjoyed 6. It’s true that they’ve basically been making Far Cry 3 repeatedly for over a decade but I personally still find it to be a good time. The shooting is enjoyable, the dual sense support was good and I think the fully voiced protagonist added a lot to the expeience. It’s not a great game by any means but I liked most of it.

8.3/10

Bugsnax - this was surprisingly good. I didn’t think a bug catching Pokémon esque game would interest me but the writing and characters genuinely caught me off guard. All of them are endearing and well voiced (aside from the annoying shaman lady) and the visual / audio design is also solid.

8.2/10
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Fair reviews. Far cry is always an odd one, as I adored the First (still my favourite one), and Third and since then have just been rehashes. But they are enjoyable rehashes with solid gunplay and at least you know what you are getting. Probably wouldn't have 6 quite so high, but I did enjoy it enough.

Tunic should have ended better, and as Spanner said had some enemy design issues, but still great.

I need to go back to Bugsnax, but I liked what I have played so far.

amolbhatia50k said:
On another note, Stalker 2 is getting strong previews which I didn’t expect. Hope it’s good and comes to PS5 eventually.
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Why didn't you expect that? Has it had dev issues? I've not been following development, it's one of those that I really am looking forward to so tried to forget about it until it launches so I don't ruin anything.

I love the S.t.a.l.k.e.r games warts and all. Something about that world and feel, as long as they capture that they can keep all the core mechanics mostly the same and still have a winner.
 
Redlambs said:
Fair reviews. Far cry is always an odd one, as I adored the First (still my favourite one), and Third and since then have just been rehashes. But they are enjoyable rehashes with solid gunplay and at least you know what you are getting. Probably wouldn't have 6 quite so high, but I did enjoy it enough.

Tunic should have ended better, and as Spanner said had some enemy design issues, but still great.

I need to go back to Bugsnax, but I liked what I have played so far.


Why didn't you expect that? Has it had dev issues? I've not been following development, it's one of those that I really am looking forward to so tried to forget about it until it launches so I don't ruin anything.

I love the S.t.a.l.k.e.r games warts and all. Something about that world and feel, as long as they capture that they can keep all the core mechanics mostly the same and still have a winner.
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That would be an understatement, although not the usual dev issues. Their studio used to be in Kyiv and was heavily impacted by the ongoing war. They've tried to keep working on the game amidst employees having to flee their homes or joining the Ukranian army. At some point they moved the entire team to Prague.

The fact they're going to release it at all should be considered a minor miracle.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
Tunic - It’s a superbly made video game that masquerades as a cutsie chill time but is actually quite difficult and unforgiving. What struck me throughout was how well designed a game it was. The combat though fairly basic is satisfying, the visual and audio design is strong, but the highly is definitely the sense of discovery largely aided by its lack of hand holding and novel “game manual” system.

The only thing it lacked for me was a strong final act - where it could have ascended into greatness I thought the last few hours dragged and hence didn’t have any emotional impact on me. For example, i just played Inscryption before his and its last few hours made me think about the game and yearn for more after completing it.

8.6/10

Far Cry 6 - I have to admit, I like the Far Cry series. While I find Assassins Creed a fundamentally and actively unfun video game that exasperates the problem by also being absurdly bloats thus demanding to wallow in its unfun-ness, Far Cry is dumb fun but fun regardless. I enjoyed 5 and I once again enjoyed 6. It’s true that they’ve basically been making Far Cry 3 repeatedly for over a decade but I personally still find it to be a good time. The shooting is enjoyable, the dual sense support was good and I think the fully voiced protagonist added a lot to the expeience. It’s not a great game by any means but I liked most of it.

8.3/10

Bugsnax - this was surprisingly good. I didn’t think a bug catching Pokémon esque game would interest me but the writing and characters genuinely caught me off guard. All of them are endearing and well voiced (aside from the annoying shaman lady) and the visual / audio design is also solid.

8.2/10
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Agreed about Tunic. A couple of hours in, I thought Tunic could be a GOAT contender I was that impressed. But it frontloaded all its best ideas into the first few areas and had little new to offer in the second half of the game. Still well worth a play, but also a missed opportunity.
 
Redlambs said:
Why didn't you expect that? Has it had dev issues? I've not been following development, it's one of those that I really am looking forward to so tried to forget about it until it launches so I don't ruin anything.

I love the S.t.a.l.k.e.r games warts and all. Something about that world and feel, as long as they capture that they can keep all the core mechanics mostly the same and still have a winner.
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It was a very surface level impression but it just looked a less interesting version of Metro Exodus (which I really like) but I guess I was being harsh. I missed the boat with the original so I don’t really have any connection to the series.
 
I grabbed an Arcade 1up during Prime Day the other week and am really pleased with it. Always wanted an arcade machine since I was a kid.

It was the Street Fighter 2 Legacy Yoga Flame Edition and came with "STREET FIGHTER II TURBO: HYPER FIGHTING; SUPER STREET FIGHTER II TURBO; STREET FIGHTER II: CHAMPION EDITION; KING OF DRAGONS; STRIDER; PROGEAR; BATTLE CIRCUIT; SUPER PUZZLE FIGHTER; SATURDAY NIGHT SLAM MASTERS; CAPCOM SPORTS CLUB; FINAL FIGHT; GIGA WING; CAPTAIN COMMANDO; ARMORED WARRIORS" so a good mix of games.

10319_4ftCab_SF2THyperFighting_Render_Riser_B2copy.jpg


Giga Wing and ProGear are particularly good fun if you like shmups.

Read that this one is easy to soft mod as well so plenty of scope to add games to it if/when I get board with the 14 on there although I often think that more choice leads to more apathy. Wouldn't say no to some Virtua Tennis on there, Track & Field/Hyper Sports and Kung Fu Master though.
 
Finished a couple of days ago Impostor Factory, in the same series as To The Moon. Great music, great touching story, basically it is a very nice movie that pretends to be a game.

It doesn't reach the heights of To The Moon, and maybe not even that of Finding Paradise, but still a very nice experience.
 
For anybody who has tried any of them out, what do you think about these games?

Wasteland 3
Guacamelee 2
Risk of Rain 2
Steam world dig 2

I just picked up Elden Ring, GT7 and Wasteland 3 for my birthday. I thought the latter might be a decent entry into the CRPG genre as it’s never been my thing and I want to play Divinity 2 and eventually BG3.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
For anybody who has tried any of them out, what do you think about these games?

Wasteland 3
Guacamelee 2
Risk of Rain 2
Steam world dig 2

I just picked up Elden Ring, GT7 and Wasteland 3 for my birthday. I thought the latter might be a decent entry into the CRPG genre as it’s never been my thing and I want to play Divinity 2 and eventually BG3.
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Guacamelee 2 is simply more Guacamelee. Doesn't really bring anything new to the table but is still just as well designed and fun to control as the first one. I'd have both around the top 10-15 metroidvanias I've played.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is pretty good. The first game never clicked with me but the second is a significant improvement, despite having the same gameplay loop. Everything just feels better in this one. It's still not among my favourite metroidvania-adjacent titles, because the level design isn't all that interesting (you're essentially digging down, that's it), but the core loop of mining and upgrading is satisfying and it's got plenty of secret challenge rooms to mix it up.

I've got Risk of Rain 2 in my library but haven't touched it yet.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
For anybody who has tried any of them out, what do you think about these games?

Wasteland 3
Guacamelee 2
Risk of Rain 2
Steam world dig 2

I just picked up Elden Ring, GT7 and Wasteland 3 for my birthday. I thought the latter might be a decent entry into the CRPG genre as it’s never been my thing and I want to play Divinity 2 and eventually BG3.
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I own Wasteland 3 but haven't played it yet, but i've heard good things.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
For anybody who has tried any of them out, what do you think about these games?

Wasteland 3
Guacamelee 2
Risk of Rain 2
Steam world dig 2

I just picked up Elden Ring, GT7 and Wasteland 3 for my birthday. I thought the latter might be a decent entry into the CRPG genre as it’s never been my thing and I want to play Divinity 2 and eventually BG3.
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All very good, I've not played much of WL3 admittedly, but what I have it felt decent and worthy of the name.

Risk of Rain 2 is super addictive if you get into it. I'd not read up anything about it or any metas and just figure it out yourself though, as the balancing can be quite off if you want it to be. I played it so much (solo and co-op) that I've had to take a long break and haven't even looked at the last few updates :lol:
 
Ainu said:
Guacamelee 2 is simply more Guacamelee. Doesn't really bring anything new to the table but is still just as well designed and fun to control as the first one. I'd have both around the top 10-15 metroidvanias I've played.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is pretty good. The first game never clicked with me but the second is a significant improvement, despite having the same gameplay loop. Everything just feels better in this one. It's still not among my favourite metroidvania-adjacent titles, because the level design isn't all that interesting (you're essentially digging down, that's it), but the core loop of mining and upgrading is satisfying and it's got plenty of secret challenge rooms to mix it up.

I've got Risk of Rain 2 in my library but haven't touched it yet.
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Yeah agreed with the first 2. Though with Dig2, the grind is something that captures some more than level design and on that front it can elevate the game far higher.

RoR2 is super addictive if/when it clicks with you, get round to it with you have a solid bit of time.
 
Redlambs said:
Yeah agreed with the first 2. Though with Dig2, the grind is something that captures some more than level design and on that front it can elevate the game far higher.

RoR2 is super addictive if/when it clicks with you, get round to it with you have a solid bit of time.
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This is my biggest problem. I don't know how long I can keep postponing Elden Ring. :lol:
 
Redlambs said:
All very good, I've not played much of WL3 admittedly, but what I have it felt decent and worthy of the name.

Risk of Rain 2 is super addictive if you get into it. I'd not read up anything about it or any metas and just figure it out yourself though, as the balancing can be quite off if you want it to be. I played it so much (solo and co-op) that I've had to take a long break and haven't even looked at the last few updates :lol:
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Is it absurdly hard? How would you compare it to Hades or Returnal in that sense? Those two are the best I’ve played in the genre (Returnal is just different class for me personally) and I felt they got the difficulty right. I died a lot more in Hades and was unsettled / immersed a lot more in Returnal but always felt a sense of progression through unlocks. Obviously Returnal is a not a full on rogue like as it’s broken into chapters.
 
I'm playing Balatro at work.

I'm playing Balatro on the shitter at work.

I'm playing Balatro at home.

I'm playing Balatro on the shitter at home.

Can't stop Balatro-ing.
 
Turn based combat has never quite been my thing but I really tried persisting with Sea of Stars. loved the messenger but this is way too much of a drag to continue. Feels like it got that highly rated due to the nostalgia factor.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
Turn based combat has never quite been my thing but I really tried persisting with Sea of Stars. loved the messenger but this is way too much of a drag to continue. Feels like it got that highly rated due to the nostalgia factor.
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Sea of Stars got so much praise from what I saw but feck me it was generic. I got so bored and quit.
 
Black Ops 6 campaign got decent reviews but it fecking sucks.

Every mission has a new mechanic to use which you only ever gonna use in that mission.

Headshots now mean feck all if the enemy is wearing body armour.

And everytime you need to take someone out it's pitch black and then people appear from nowhere.

It's gone some weird hitman, sniper elite, cod hybrid.
 
Metaphor is amazing. I've seen reviews say it's Persona in a fantasy world but I think that actually does it a disservice? It's so much more and changes the overall mechanics enough (fights, exploration, and life sim) that it more than feels like its own thing. It's like saying Red Dead is just GTA in a Western world - yes they have a lot of similarities but they're distinctly their own thing.
 
Massive Spanner said:
Metaphor is amazing. I've seen reviews say it's Persona in a fantasy world but I think that actually does it a disservice? It's so much more and changes the overall mechanics enough (fights, exploration, and life sim) that it more than feels like its own thing. It's like saying Red Dead is just GTA in a Western world - yes they have a lot of similarities but they're distinctly their own thing.
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Shut up I don’t get paid til the 23rd.
 
Solius said:
Sea of Stars got so much praise from what I saw but feck me it was generic. I got so bored and quit.
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I probably got to around the half way mark but it was a real drag. Even if I’m not the target audience as I prefer real-time combat, I’m not sure what the hook was supposed to be for people not clouded by nostalgia every time they see retro graphics. To be fair, it did look good for the kind of game it was and the soundtrack was great. But the writing was so basic as was the combat.

Expected so much more after the messenger which was great fun.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
I probably got to around the half way mark but it was a real drag. Even if I’m not the target audience as I prefer real-time combat, I’m not sure what the hook was supposed to be for people not clouded by nostalgia every time they see retro graphics. To be fair, it did look good for the kind of game it was and the soundtrack was great. But the writing was so basic as was the combat.

Expected so much more after the messenger which was great fun.
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I enjoyed it, but didn't complete it , think my attention got diverted to something else. Was just a simple game to relax to really. Wasn't a strain or anything.
 
Salt Bailly said:
Did you play the original or the Final Cut? The voice acting is superb in the latter.
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Final Cut. Honestly it would be nowhere near as good for me without being fully voiced. The audio adds enormously to the immersion. I meant to go back to it at some point with character traits.
 
FINALLY I'm about to start Hades! It's taken me 4 years to get through my back catalogue and now it's time!

Any helpful tips from anyone?

I have a slot left in my top 5 games of all time and I hope Hades fills that!
 
Metaphor is so good. So much more than a Persona clone. If anything I think they fixed some of the more annoying things about persona games. It’s a lot quicker to get going than 5 and has far less dialogue in between gameplay too. Cracking game.
 
Massive Spanner said:
Metaphor is so good. So much more than a Persona clone. If anything I think they fixed some of the more annoying things about persona games. It’s a lot quicker to get going than 5 and has far less dialogue in between gameplay too. Cracking game.
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That's excellent to hear. I love the Persona games, but they do take so much time to grind through.

I'll have to add this one to my ridiculously long play list.
 
A Short Hike - A lovely game that’s exactly what it says on the tin. If you want something short and breezy that values your time and is a calming, exploratory and well made of experience, play this!

It has some hard to pinpoint quality that reminds of the kind of classic indie games (Braid, Papers Please, Bastian, Fez etc) that started the whole indie revolution we’ve seen over the last 10-15 years.

8.8/10 (with a caveat and context of the small scale and duration of the game)

Cult of the Lamb - A game that has an interesting blend of design choices and gameplay mechanics. Design wise, it looks cute and cosey but also has dark tones intertwined. Gameplay wise, you oscillate between farm / cult managment and rogue like action. It’s a very well made game whether it’s sound design, visual design or the the way the game flows and plays.

My only criticism would be that like with many of these games (and games in general) they struggle to maintain my interest till the end. Like with Tunic, here too I found myself rushing to complete it - I tend to mentally check out of a lot of games by the 2/3rd mark if they aren’t hooking me with something new or intruiging. I think the issue in this game is the structure - the whole get these many followers to advance and four runs to reach the boss for each biome makes it feel too simple profession wise. I wish they had changed things up a bit towards the end.

8.4/10

To be honest I didn’t know how to rate the above two. Cult of the lamb has more quality, value, content and ambition but it left me wanting it to end. A short hike was done in two sittings in 2.5 hours but had me just delighted throughout and I’ll remember it fondly every time it crosses my mind.

This is probably my biggest gripe about games these days - they’re too frickin long. I’d trim most games by 25 per cent.
 
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