The Weekly 'What are you playing?' Discussion

I’m about 80 hours into bg3 and just got the notification that I left act 1 lol

I've been playing Dead Space Remake, since it's been released on GamePass. Had to jump through some hoops to get my Xbox account linked to EA, but eventually managed to do it and I've been playing it for the past two weeks.

Just reached chapter 8 (comms array). So far, it's good. I'll preface saying that the last time I played the original Dead Space was five or six years ago, so my memory is a bit fuzzy, but I feel like the game's a lot more balanced than the OG, although not overly difficult. I remember blasting my way through hard mode with nothing but the starting gun back in the days, but I am playing more conservative here because I feel like ammo drops are scarcer, and stasis stations are a lot rarer than they were originally.

Finding all the guns in the wild instead of having to build them first lets you playtest them against real opponents, and having half the tech tree locked until you progress enough means that you are more incentivized in using them. In the original, I'd main the starting gun and install all my power nodes on it, while in the remake I'm acquiring nodes faster than I'm able to unlock upgrades for the guns, so I'm spending them on my side weapons. The ripper is still as gloriously broken as I remember it!

I like that they didn't rely exclusively on the procedurally generated enemy spawns, nor on the hand-made encounters, but have a mix of both. Procedurally generated content tends to fall flat because a computer doesn't know how to set the mood and jump scare you appropriately; while hand-made content tends to grow stale after you play the game once or twice (or reload the same section to complete it with more ammo/health). A mix of both is the best of both worlds, and I'm positively surprised by how well it works in practice.

As for the most discussed improvement in the game, the interconnected world, I honestly find it... okay, but I'm not blown away by it. It works in games like the OG Resident Evil because you have a bit more control over where to go, how to tackle specific threats, and what enemies to expect in each room. I remember myself planning ahead the best route to reach my destination inside Spencer's mansion or the police station. But Dead Space remake is still a fundamentally linear experience from start to end, so the ability to backtrack to previously explored areas is never fully utilized.

This is further exacerbated by a map system that I find too clunky to use (it's very slow and sometimes confusing when there are too many levels), the lack of precise notation (security doors are fully visible, but master override chests are one of many small icons that I'd never find if I didn't know where they are to begin with, and lockers do not appear on the map at all), and the frequent lack of proper rewards for backtracking.

I tested the system as soon as I was given a chance. After I completed the second level and got my first security clearance, I backtracked to the security door situated on the tramway halfway through the first level. I got ambushed by six (!) procedurally-spawned enemies on my way there, just to find common loot inside the room.

At first I was confused by this, but now that I'm halfway through the game, I understand how the system was designed: The developers didn't expect you to backtrack at your leisure. Instead, they carefully placed locked rooms and lockers at just the right clearance level, that you're supposed to have when the linear story gets you near those locked rooms. The level 1 clearance door on the first level? You can get it quite easily on chapter 6, when you pass by that room. The same applies to side missions as well. They are designed so you can complete them on your way to the main objective with very little extra effort.

I don't hate the game for this. I loved the original and I'm totally fine with the remake being another linear experience. I'm just confused by the design principle: they talked extensively about making the world more interconnected and adding side content and optional exploration on the side, but it ended up being just more content that you do while you progress through the linear story, rather than making it work properly as an open-ended experience, and I feel like the attempt at making the remake feel more open ended than it was originally largely failed for me, as I never felt truly in control of where to go or when to complete certain side quests or get some loot that was previously inaccessible.

As for the changes in the story, I'm only halfway through the game, and I don't want to tackle the argument until I have the full picture of the story. I'll only say that I liked some changes, I was okay with others, and I'm a bit dubious about a handful. One of them is Hammond, who is a lot less present in this first half of the game compared to the original; the other is Temple and Cross, who I like so far, but I feel like they are two completely different characters whose role could have been given to new characters instead of replacing their original storyline. But as I said, I'm only halfway through the game, so I may change my opinion on this.

TL;DR: I'll write my full opinion on the game when I finish it, but I'm liking it so far and I think it's a valid replacement for the original if you never played it and don't want to buy both. Some changes are appreciated, others less but don't detract from the overall experience, and the game for the most part feels like "the original, but improved", which is a perfectly valid spot to land on when you are developing a faithful remake. The game feels and plays like the original, but still manages to bring something new for who, like me, played the hell out of the first game back in the days.

I decided to get back into Minecraft to try to finish the End Dragon

Still on Disco Elysium. It’s good, thus far, but some of the controls bug me. The game has made me laugh multiple times though, it’s a real “dramadey” of video games. Although I had a nice evening the other day playing the Jackbox Party Pack.

I recently picked up Cobalt Core and am enjoying the take on slay the spire with additional crew/ship interactions. So far it seems to be missing StS's fully broken synergies that you could achieve with e.g. thin deck infinites, armor stacking, etc - which was a fun aspect for me. But the writing is fun and the challenges are varied. I only have about half of the unlocks so hopefully it'll open up more soon

Talos Principle 2 is just… wow. It’s been years since I played the first game and it’s remarkable how fast the sequel was able to get me back in the space of “I’m here to solve puzzles and argue philosophy…”. Everything I loved about Talos Principle has been polished or expanded, and the way the writers somehow managed to get me to accept that we need to solve a bunch of puzzles to advance the plot - AGAIN - is impressive.

I’m so happy the game is this good.

Just finished 100%ing all achievements in Factorio. Got the speedrun achievements over the weekend, and let my original factory run overnight for a few days to grind out the 20m green circuits.

Still got the itch to play more factory sim. Debating whether to dip my toes into Dyson Sphere Program or try my hand at the Space Exploration mod for Factorio.

I circled back to vanilla no DLC RimWorld. I've owned the game for years, have quite a bit of time in Dwarf Fortress, but due to the fact I tried to mod the game right away it didn't hook me. Turns out it's really hard to learn a game and look stuff up when you have 200+ mods that alter things in tiny ways to make them completely different than base game. New colony is going strong! Just finished unlocking the advanced research bench, stable food source, strong outer walls. Such a fun game. I've been missing out. If anyone has any beginner tips or anything let me know. I'm gonna try to make it all the way and build the space ship!

Been playing age of wonder 4 with a friend, I really like that you can build your own factions and faction leaders, though I'd def install the fair play ai mod, since the ai is a lot less annoying with it.

Also void crew, its sort of like sea of thieves in space, but very much still in early access and has some obvious issues(AA seems to not work at all for me lol). Its fun so far tho.

I've been going through the Talos Principle, trying to get around to actually beating it. I probably won't go straight into the sequel though, since I prefer to wait for games to go on sale.

I finished Code Vein (well, one of the endings) and started Elden Ring. I enjoyed CV, but ER just feels like it's on another level entirely. It's difficult but not in a "do this thing with frame perfect timing or start over" kinda way. You can go from getting completely destroyed by a boss to beating it from one attempt to another. I'm also loving the game mechanics so far, even if it mouse/keyboard control scheme is a bit of a pain (especially target control and camera control being the same when I'd prefer the ability to look around without changing targets when fighting multiple foes).

It‘s back to Skyrim for me, I‘ll beat it eventually!

Just finished my second playthrough of Balders Gate 3, about to start Disco Elysium! I feel like turn based games are making a comeback!

Currently playing "Dave the Diver". The game is therapeutic :) Some parts require serious thinking and reaction but most of it allows you to just turn off your brain and relax.

Grounded just released an update so I'm giving that some time.

Just got the “true” ending in Pikmin 4, so I’m back to focusing on Mario Wonder. Both games have just been joyous experiences.

I’m a few hours into Little Goody Two-Shoes and it seems like it could be something special. Very curious about where it goes and how many different styles of gameplay it folds into its life sim/dating game structure.

The Mario RPG remake comes out this week and I’ll probably jump on that immediately. I never played the original.

I was too sick to do rocket science for the past week so my Joolian mission has been on hold. Though I did decide I'm going to name all the ships after Bubble's kitties.

I've been doing a second play-through of Subnautica while I recover.

I've been playing the Star Ocean 2 remake, I'm nearly through it. It's been a lot of fun, definitely worth picking up if you have any nostalgia for the game!

Super Mario Wonder, getting all the seeds. Not the hardest game, but good solid fun and loaded with charm.

I just finished Cocoon and it's a beautiful game with fantastic puzzles.

Decided to play KSP again after months of ignoring it. (Due to performance)

Managed to strip some unnecessary mods and parts of my ship.

Now it only just crashes once or twice a day.

Started playing Generation Zero again. Fooling around with the new augments and 2-shotting Firebats mostly.

I kicked ass in the Half Sword demo last night, so I'm probably gonna do another run in Exanima and see how far I can make it.

On holiday in Australia so been playing "Don't get killed by the wildlife simulator 2023."

Playing through Frost Punk. Well banging my head against it is more accurate

Mainly Baldurs Gate 3. Some Warcraft Rumble on the side.
Monster Hunter Now when I'm outside.

Mostly Wildermyth, it's a gentle but compelling story driven/generating RPG that occupies those few half hours I have for gaming!

Dave the Diver. It's so chill yet somehow frantic. Just an all round great game.

I started playing ATOM RPG again. I tried once a few months ago but my build made the game very unfun. I looked up a guide to a hood starter build and hope that helps me see what other people see in it.

playing a lot of the new call of duty. i find that the mw2 maps all fucking suck. and it somehow takes even longer to kill than in ww2

also still playing backyard baseball with a new team that is a bit overpowered on offense but my god the infield is full of error machines

More Apex Legends - Going on 4k hours now and only slowing a bit. It’s still by far the game I play the most.

Cyberpunk 2077 - Getting to the point of finishing up the main game and moving onto the DLC, about 30ish hours into my current save.

iRacing - as always, the subscription MMO of Simracing is on the list

Destiny 2 because I love the grind I guess. 2 weeks left in the season until the long season before everything goes to shit. Also been smashing out WRC in my simrig, it's excellent fun. Graphically not as nice as Dirt Rally 2.0, but the much longer stages make up for it. I've been learning to drift in Assetto Corsa, but it's tough going, the tutorials I've been following are only okish, if anyone has a great drifting tutorial, please let me know!

Squad, it's an even split between gameplay/socialising but it's good fun either way.

I have been playing Shogun Showdown, which is a fun but difficult strategy roguelike "deck builder-ish". I'm not sure I'll stick with it through full unlocks. I have been tempted by Cobalt Core as well, though the price has bounced me off of it for this month at least.

Grinding my way into Fallout 4 with the A StoryWealth modpack (almost 700 mods, lol).

GTFO. My friends and I have put about 60 hours into this extraction shooter, and I can happily recommend it to anyone with a friend or three to play with. It can be difficult, and a little frustrating, but damn does finishing a hard-fought rundown feel good!

Trying to 💯 Dead Estate

Diablo 4 has consumed me and I can't stop playing it

Monster Hunter Rise. Just got into Sunbreak a few days ago. This is the first one I've really been branching out on weapons since I started in 3U. Gunlance and hammer are proving to be super fun, on top of my original love: SNS.

Been playing planetside 2 against my better judgment and the ADHD gifs have demanded I play missed Skyrim for the past month

Picked up graveyard keeper on sale for $4 and I’m addicted. Plays a bit like Stardew Valley but with a dark edge. Great game overall.

Still playing Baldur's Gate 3. I was fully planning on picking up Persona 5 Tactica at release but I was immediately turned off once I heard about Day 1 DLC. Really not okay. The reviews are mediocre and I'm also hearing that it's short. I'll probably pick it up on a sale.

Anyway, in BG3, I keep wanting to tinker with new builds and see places/story branches I missed the first three times. I don't think an RPG has put me in replay mode like this since Final Fantasy Tactics. It's pretty nuts.

I also restarted my subscription to World of Warcraft: Dragonflight to see the last raid and the end of the story for the expansion. I've never been so disinterested on resub like I am this time. I'm getting currencies thrown at me with little explanation, the community is still toxic as hell, and I'm just not into the story.

I played Stardew Valley Expanded until 1am.