The Video Game Thread

[Dawn]

Who else gonna cop Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time? <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[BHK1978]

Been doing a good bit of the same since the pandemic began. Weaving back and forth between Oblivion and Skyrim actually. But Skyrim at the moment.

 

I played a little Oblivion last year. They have that one Dark Brotherhood mission in the game that I love. It was based on Agatha Christie's 10 Little Indians and it might be one of my favorite missions in any video game I have played (Well there are a few GTA V missions that might be on par with it.).

 

I tried playing Morrowind (I have the original XBOX version) a few months ago on my XBOX One, but I couldn't get far. Obviously the graphics are really dated (Which normally would not annoy me, but it did for this game.) and the game mechanics are terrible. It sucks because I never really got far into the game back then and I never went back to it and now it is unplayable for me.

 

Though my KOTR I and II still stand the test of time no matter what system I play them on.

 

1: Think about how corrupt the city of Riften is in general. The Thieves Guild. The Black-Briars. The gate guards that try to shake you down when you first arrive. Grelod The Kind at the orphanage. Riften is to Nirn as Mos Eisley is to Tattooine. A wretched hive of scum and villiany. If such a murderous priest is going to live anywhere in Skyrim, it's rather fitting he'd live in Riften.

 

2: Also think about the fact this is the same priest who is scolding any and all present at The Bee and Barb the first time you enter that inn. Meaning he's quite a bit more fanatical than the rest of Riften's clergy. Fanatics are less likely to quibble with those who'd do violence than more reasonable congregants. He probably views this bounty as a means of getting these sinners to do Mara's will for once.

 

What you said makes a lot of sense. I never really thought of it that way. Hell I did not even know the guy's name until a couple of days ago. I remember him bitching about people drinking, I just never even bothered to learn his name because I never had much interaction with him in previous playthroughs.

 

And then there's the little factor that Skyrim's sense of who should and shouldn't be able to report or witness crimes being off. I've heard tales of players been hunted down for crimes because wild animals saw what happened and that been reported to guards as a result. Sounds like you were visited on the basis of this glitched witness system.

 

Yeah I read on the Skyrim wiki that ghosts can hire thugs. What the hell?

[VBigB]

I'm behind the times, but I've been playing a lot of Borderlands 2. So damn fun. The humor cracks me up big time

 

I think it was back in March I played through Borderlands, Borderlands 2 and all the DLC. I ran out of steam at the Pre-sequel but at some point I will get back to it. Haven't played Borderlands 3 yet. Out of the the other 3 games I liked Borderlands 2 the best.

[VBigB]

And then there's the little factor that Skyrim's sense of who should and shouldn't be able to report or witness crimes being off. I've heard tales of players been hunted down for crimes because wild animals saw what happened and that been reported to guards as a result. Sounds like you were visited on the basis of this glitched witness system.

 

At least for some areas of the game I rationalize this bug as:

- stranger arrives in town

- bunch of stuff goes missing

- stranger leaves town

- wronged party assumes the stranger must be the thief.

 

None of these places are particularly populous so it's not a stretch to think that everyone knows everyone. Doesn't really work for a place as corrupt as Riften though.

[Jaysin]

I think it was back in March I played through Borderlands, Borderlands 2 and all the DLC. I ran out of steam at the Pre-sequel but at some point I will get back to it. Haven't played Borderlands 3 yet. Out of the the other 3 games I liked Borderlands 2 the best.

 

I actually picked up Borderlands 3 yesterday when I saw it was only $20. I couldn't pass that up. I'm gonna finish Borderlands 2 and then play through the Pre-Sequel since I've never played that one before diving into 3.

[Jaysin]

<p>Saw Witcher 3 Wild Hunt was only $20 so picked that up. Gonna finish my Borderlands(2, pre sequel, and 3) play through before diving into Witcher.</p><p> </p><p>

Rare announced today that the new Battletoads comes out August 20th! 3 player couch co op!!!!!</p>

[Blackman]

You didn't already have Witcher 3? That's "borderline" criminal, dude!

 

Anyhow, UFC 4 is just around the corner so I'll be picking that up. Currently playing through StarCraft again (remastered version was just 7.5 and I never played Brood War afaik).

[Jaysin]

You didn't already have Witcher 3? That's "borderline" criminal, dude!

 

I rarely buy games when they're new. TEW is about the only franchise I buy at release time.

 

I'm doing the Bad Ass arena DLC for Borderlands 2 and getting super frustrated with it so might switch to Witcher 3 earlier than intended.

[VBigB]

I rarely buy games when they're new. TEW is about the only franchise I buy at release time.

 

I'm doing the Bad Ass arena DLC for Borderlands 2 and getting super frustrated with it so might switch to Witcher 3 earlier than intended.

 

I actually did the D&D spoof one first which is apparently the one with the highest level enemies (it was tough) so when I went back and went through the others I breezed through them.

[cappyboy]

I played a little Oblivion last year. They have that one Dark Brotherhood mission in the game that I love. It was based on Agatha Christie's 10 Little Indians and it might be one of my favorite missions in any video game I have played (Well there are a few GTA V missions that might be on par with it.).

 

I'm familiar with that one from having watched Let's Play videos of the Dark Brotherhood storylines in Oblivion and Skyrim but never done it myself. Being a dark evil soul just for the sake of it has just has never appealed to me. I'm too light to play that dark. I know I miss out on some pretty solid rewards in Skyrim because of that feeling. But even so, I much prefer to take Astrid down in the cabin and then wipe out the Dark Brotherhood.

 

Heck the only time I've completed the Thieves Guild in Skyrim was when I was roleplaying a scholar studying the Nightingales who ended up learning the only one to get the material he needed was to become one. Much preferred the Robin Hood vibe of the Thieves Guild in Oblivion to the Mafia feel of Skyrim's. Those guys deserved to be on hard times.

[BHK1978]

I'm familiar with that one from having watched Let's Play videos of the Dark Brotherhood storylines in Oblivion and Skyrim but never done it myself. Being a dark evil soul just for the sake of it has just has never appealed to me. I'm too light to play that dark. I know I miss out on some pretty solid rewards in Skyrim because of that feeling. But even so, I much prefer to take Astrid down in the cabin and then wipe out the Dark Brotherhood.

 

Heck the only time I've completed the Thieves Guild in Skyrim was when I was roleplaying a scholar studying the Nightingales who ended up learning the only one to get the material he needed was to become one. Much preferred the Robin Hood vibe of the Thieves Guild in Oblivion to the Mafia feel of Skyrim's. Those guys deserved to be on hard times.

 

I am the same way in regards to playing the Knights of the Old Republic games. I always struggled to play as a Darkside character. It always felt odd to me because it is only a video game but yeah I just never really liked playing on the Darkside in those games. I would usually do one playthrough just to see what it is like but I just never really enjoyed it.

 

The odd thing is I had no problem playing the bad guy in GTA or any of the Elder Scroll games. I am not sure why that is the case.

[Blackman]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="VBigB" data-cite="VBigB" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="28397" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I actually did the D&D spoof one first </div></blockquote><p> </p><p> The world needs more D&D videogames. I heard BG3 is in early access but it just feels...wrong to play it now. I'm aching for some but can still wait for it.</p><p> </p><p> Lately I see more boardgames being released for PC, which is a great thing for Covid-based gaming (at a distance). It's not so fun to be around a table wearing mouth masks. Especially for party games. We removed them but we'd be essentially violating the policies. Without symptoms and with everyone disinfecting their hands, I fail to see how it can spread during a boardgame on a normal table.</p><p> </p><p> Also hearing great things about Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Say what you want but the last game was fun and full of interesting content. It's far from the immersive </p><p> but sadly super-repetitive game that started it all.</p>

[BHK1978]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blackman" data-cite="Blackman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="28397" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Also hearing great things about Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Say what you want but the last game was fun and full of interesting content. It's far from the immersive <p> but sadly super-repetitive game that started it all.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> There is a guy on YouTube named Modest Pelican Gaming (Who is hilarious) who has early access and from the videos of the game he has done, the game does look fun. I will say I am not a fan of the AC series but from those videos I think it might be interesting enough to check out.</p><p> </p><p> I really want to try Among Us, that game looks like it is a blast.</p>

[Clarity]

The world needs more D&D videogames. I heard BG3 is in early access but it just feels...wrong to play it now. I'm aching for some but can still wait for it.

 

I hear you there. BG3 feels like one of those games that needs to be played in 1 go, not replaying Act 1 with different builds until the rest comes out

 

Also hearing great things about Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Say what you want but the last game was fun and full of interesting content. It's far from the immersive

but sadly super-repetitive game that started it all.

I've watched a few videos on Valhalla and there is nothing about it that jumps out of me. To me it just Origins 3.0

 

I really want to try Among Us, that game looks like it is a blast.

 

That game looks like it could be amazing with a group of friends, but frustrating as hell with randos with no mics

[cappyboy]

Find myself at a bit of a crossroads and wondering if things are quite dire as they may appear. Have been replaying Arkham Knight the last couple weeks and had gotten midway through the Cloudburst battle when I get the message on screen that my database has been corrupted. Now since I'm in the middle of a major boss fight, I don't may that proper attention and just keep going. Turning the system off after its too late to remember I'd had that warning. The system was able to restore itself to usable condition this morning but anything loaded directly onto the hard drive is now completely gone. Can play by PS Now stuff normally but I guess that saves to cloud rather than machine. But the games I physically own have to be reloaded and restarted from scratch.

 

Anyway what I'm wondering is how much I can continue to rely on my console. Should I look at this corrupted database as a sign my console may be on its last legs? Is this a Blue Screen of Death type situation or should I view it as a fluke? I have had my PS4 for like four years and it was second hand when I bought it. So it is going into its last days that wouldn't be a surprise. I'd just like to know what's ahead of me.

 

If I do need to start thinking about a new console, well Christmas wouldn't be the worst time to get a PS5. But I'm not usually one for early adoption. Usually like to let the new consoles have time to settle in and work the kinks out before I jump generations. The big thing though is do I really even have a decision to make or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

[BHK1978]

Find myself at a bit of a crossroads and wondering if things are quite dire as they may appear. Have been replaying Arkham Knight the last couple weeks and had gotten midway through the Cloudburst battle when I get the message on screen that my database has been corrupted. Now since I'm in the middle of a major boss fight, I don't may that proper attention and just keep going. Turning the system off after its too late to remember I'd had that warning. The system was able to restore itself to usable condition this morning but anything loaded directly onto the hard drive is now completely gone. Can play by PS Now stuff normally but I guess that saves to cloud rather than machine. But the games I physically own have to be reloaded and restarted from scratch.

 

Anyway what I'm wondering is how much I can continue to rely on my console. Should I look at this corrupted database as a sign my console may be on its last legs? Is this a Blue Screen of Death type situation or should I view it as a fluke? I have had my PS4 for like four years and it was second hand when I bought it. So it is going into its last days that wouldn't be a surprise. I'd just like to know what's ahead of me.

 

If I do need to start thinking about a new console, well Christmas wouldn't be the worst time to get a PS5. But I'm not usually one for early adoption. Usually like to let the new consoles have time to settle in and work the kinks out before I jump generations. The big thing though is do I really even have a decision to make or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

 

I don't really have much advise I can give you, but I know fully well where you are coming from. I think I had at the very least eleven different XBOX 360's (Might have been less but it has been a few years since I kept track). Those damn machines kept on dying on me and I only got the RROD three times, the rest were other things.

 

I am like you when it comes to new systems, I wait until they've been out for a bit before getting them. That way they hopefully work out the kinks.

 

I don't think you are making a mountain out of a molehill here, because it can be very frustrating to have to deal with something like that especially if you had a lot of games on there that you have to reinstall and play over again.

 

I own an XBOX One (The only reason was I had so many games for the original XBOX and 360 and the One is backward compatible for a lot of those games. It is not because I like XBOX over PS, I have no loyalty to either), so I cannot offer you any opinions on what happened.

[Jaysin]

AEW launched social media accounts for their game under the name AEWgames.

 

They're teasing an announcement for November 10.

 

They trademarked the term Elite General Manager so rumors are swirling the game will have a GM mode like the old Smackdown games.

[Self]

I just hope they make a game where it's fun to play a wrestling match. Sick of all the focus put on modes and options and create-a-whatever.

[Jaysin]

I just hope they make a game where it's fun to play a wrestling match. Sick of all the focus put on modes and options and create-a-whatever.

 

I was going to mention Fire Pro Wrestling World, but that's mostly Edits of wrestlers and moreso a game you sim instead of play.

 

I loved the GM mode of the old SD/SDvRaw games though. It made some flaws tolerable.

 

Truth be told, I'm hoping 2K cancelling 2k21 is a sign they heard the complaints about 2k20 and are taking them seriously. I guess we'll find out next year!

 

I haven't played Battlegrounds, but footage reminds me of WWE All Stars. Which was fun for like ten minutes.

[Self]

<p>Extra modes are fun... when the gameplay itself is fun. </p><p> </p><p>

I quite liked the Fire Pro gameplay. It felt like more of a <em>game</em> than most, but I agree. It did feel built to be modded and customised. Every character played the same because they needed to. I guess that's what wrestling is now, but I get bored quickly. </p><p> </p><p>

I see the appeal of super customisation. I love simulating running wrestling with TEW, after all. I just see so much focus on it, when it's the least of these game's problems.</p>

[Blackman]

I just hope they make a game where it's fun to play a wrestling match. Sick of all the focus put on modes and options and create-a-whatever.

 

Can't say no to customization, but to be honest I didn't even bother to go through all the finishers/moves in WWE2k20.

 

To this day, nothing tops the fun I've had with the Gamecube WWE games I didn't get NoMercy so wouldn't know if that was better. Attitude was meh. But there's just something oddly therapeutic about throwing construction workers off of a 30 ft ridge, or chokeslamming them into oblivion (literaly).

[cappyboy]

Picked up Kingdom Come for free. Runs pretty well almost maxed out and I'm enjoying it immensely despite the clunky combat (had to download a mod to disable the enemy targeting) and a few annoying bugs. Clocked in over 100 hours in the last few weeks so I guess you can say I'm addicted, although it helps that I don't much else to play that I haven't already completed. Played it every day for hours except the last 2 because I get severe hand cramp from the xbone controller when I use it this often.

 

Just been playing this the last few days because it became available on PS Now. Normally I don't like first person games because I can get lost easily and I just feel more comfortable in general in third. But I've really been digging Kingdom Come. They have created a terrific story world, a really appealing hero in Henry and a solid balance of challenge to potential to progress. It can be tough but it still feels fair. At least in the early goings. If that balance can be maintained, I may be with Kingdom Come for far longer than I've spent with any other first person game in a hound's age.

[The Swanton825]

Just been playing this the last few days because it became available on PS Now. Normally I don't like first person games because I can get lost easily and I just feel more comfortable in general in third. But I've really been digging Kingdom Come. They have created a terrific story world, a really appealing hero in Henry and a solid balance of challenge to potential to progress. It can be tough but it still feels fair. At least in the early goings. If that balance can be maintained, I may be with Kingdom Come for far longer than I've spent with any other first person game in a hound's age.

 

It always makes me happy to see more people giving Kingdom Come a chance. It's one of the most underrated gems of this generation IMO. I will admit there are a few really BS combat encounters (for the most part they were usually random bandit encounters) around the mid-game when the more heavily armored enemies start getting common, but man does it feel amazing once you get past that hill and you're running wild through a fortified Hungarian camp.

[Blackman]

<p>I liked Kingdom Come. Honestly I was crying for a more realistic sim but this one might've been a bit too much. Due to me screwing up a lot I had to walk on foot a lot and took way too long on some other stuff. I like that you have to wear a lantern at night but then again it IS rather frustrating. I want to love it but I've grown used too much to a Skyrim-esque sandbox where all the "extra stuff like eating/roleplaying is optional and not forced in like this game (where it become a chore eventually).</p><p> </p><p>

I will eventually buy AC: Valhalla for sure but not sure if I want it now, unpatched and rather shortly after I played through Odyssey, which was surprisingly good coming from someone who shied away from AC games for years (Brotherhood was my last one).</p>

[dvdWarrior]

I'm still playing WWE2K20, and having fun with that, along with MLB The Show 20, (I have this Australian pitcher I made for Road To The Show - Simon Riggs of the Colorado Rockies - he's fantastic), and Tony Hawk's Pro Skaters 1 and also 2. I dabble in the Star Trek Online and Fire Pro Wrestling World as well.

 

Been having an issue with my controller lately though. Seems it all the time wants to scroll up.... CONSTANTLY. It's ... really annoying. In WWE 2K, my wrestler wants to walk in a certain direction. Easy enough to deal with that. In Trek, my beloved USS Pantheon is prone to start spinning like a top in space.. and on the ground, Admiral Collyer is most always on the move. Whether I want him to be or not. Again, not the biggest problem in all the world, a mild inconvenience at worst.

 

But then there's times when I'm trying to pick something off a menu, and it just starts flying through all the available options, and it's a real pain in the butt to pick out the one I actually want. It's like one of those games you see on Facebook, you know... Which MCU Character Are You?.

 

Not a big fan of that.

 

Besides which, I am clearly Thor.

 

Also, after my boy Riggs snagged a pretty solid base hit for himself, and was sitting pretty at first base.... he just TOOK OFF AND TRIED TO STEAL SECOND!!!! Naturally, he was thrown out by 19 and a half miles, and made to look like a complete and utter idiot.

 

Not a big fan of that either.

 

I finally had to break down and get myself a brand new controller. They were a teency tiny little bit pricey... more than I spent on the new Tony Hawk game(s) actually, (did I mention I've been playing those? Well, I have and they're fantastic!), but it was worth it to finally be able to play a game without the constant aggravation of forward motion.

 

Finally, good times have come back... home.