Video games...what ya playing? And what are you looking forward to? (10 Viewers)

[Ron Popeil]

I’m cautiously excited for this.  The difficulty does worry me.  I’m hoping the open world aspect will let me go level up elsewhere and return later if harder content stonewalls me.  I’m hoping the enemies don’t level with you.  

ETA: One of the reviews mentions an early boss that was really hard, and what made it hard was not figuring out what to do to beat it, but to keep doing that dodge/strike move for 10 minutes straight without getting hit once (because one hit will kill you).  That’s the kind of #### that frustrates me.  

I've not played the game yet.  But this video suggests to me that the poise mechanics in Elden Ring will be important to understand.  If you play too much "dodge, R1" out of habit, you might have a bad time.  

Elden Ring Wants You to Play Differently

 

[Foosball God]

Same. Ive already said how stale I think first person games and Cyberpunk was no different. It looked great but as N2K said - clunky. The shooting was pretty bad and I didnt like the way the damage was shown on your enemies. I dont care about the dialog. 

Something else that bothered me with Cyberpunk was the long ### tutorial. I loath forced tutorials with a passion. I get why they force them onto players - they don't want you to get frustrated and quit before you get started but my god they're annoying for this gamer who has >35 years of gaming experience. All I wanted to do was get to the core of the game and have some freedom to explore the world. When I was finally done with the tutorial I was pretty bored and after 5 minutes of driving around I hit a wall that wouldn't let me explore more. 

Drop me in a world and let me explore it. I have always loved those type of experiences and its why I think Elden Ring has so much potential.  

ON TO ELDON RING!!!!!!

That's what I used to love about Fallout before Bethesda drove it into the ground.  Go the wrong way and a Deathclaw eats you, no boundary necessary.  Up to you if you want to risk sneaking around out there.

 

[belljr]

Nomad I think.  I just am not a fan of much in the game.   Gunplay, driving seems clunky.    Alot of boring dialog.   Maybe it's just me.   On to elden ring

I started as city tough - I thought the gun play was fine - driving was clunky.

I enjoyed the game but i didnt love it.  I finished the main story.   I just wanted to have sex near the end so I had to finish

I thought Keanu played a good part 

 

[need2know]

Same. Ive already said how stale I think first person games and Cyberpunk was no different. It looked great but as N2K said - clunky. The shooting was pretty bad and I didnt like the way the damage was shown on your enemies. I dont care about the dialog. 

Something else that bothered me with Cyberpunk was the long ### tutorial. I loath forced tutorials with a passion. I get why they force them onto players - they don't want you to get frustrated and quit before you get started but my god they're annoying for this gamer who has >35 years of gaming experience. All I wanted to do was get to the core of the game and have some freedom to explore the world. When I was finally done with the tutorial I was pretty bored and after 5 minutes of driving around I hit a wall that wouldn't let me explore more. 

Drop me in a world and let me explore it. I have always loved those type of experiences and its why I think Elden Ring has so much potential.  

ON TO ELDON RING!!!!!!

Really dislike the perk system and menus as well.  Just complete garbage

 

[belljr]

Really dislike the perk system and menus as well.  Just complete garbage

OMG I forgot how afwul the menus were.

HFW is so much better

 

[phandango]

So I'm like 7-8 hours into cyberpunk.   Just started act 2.   Did everyone just love this game?  Seems like alot of work for not much fun?  I dunno.   Just not digging it as much as i would have hoped.  At least I got it cheap

 

I played it for a few weeks during the summer. Here's my measurement for whether a game is good: Am I looking forward to the next time I get to play it? I just finished Deathloop, and I'm now playing the new Horizon, and I can't wait until the next time I get to fire up the PS5 and play. With Cyberpunk, I got to a point where it felt like a slog. It wasn't engaging. I couldn't tell you what it was, since it's been about nine months since I played it, but I didn't look forward to playing it. 

 

[belljr]

 

I played it for a few weeks during the summer. Here's my measurement for whether a game is good: Am I looking forward to the next time I get to play it? I just finished Deathloop, and I'm now playing the new Horizon, and I can't wait until the next time I get to fire up the PS5 and play. With Cyberpunk, I got to a point where it felt like a slog. It wasn't engaging. I couldn't tell you what it was, since it's been about nine months since I played it, but I didn't look forward to playing it. 

How is death loop for an casual gamer?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

6 hours, 43 minutes

I haven’t smoked in a few months but picked up a lil somethin for later. Gonna try to get to bed early and play tonight. Funny, I used to be able to stay up until midnight and play a few hours but no way these days. 

 

[need2know]

How is death loop for an casual gamer?

I liked it.  Worth playing once.   You will need a guide or something to link it all together but I found it really cool

 

[phandango]

How is death loop for an casual gamer?

I enjoyed it a lot. I play only 1-2 hours at night, plus maybe a few hours during weekend daytime. So I almost never do marathon sessions. The learning curve is kind of steep at first -- for the first 6-8 hours, I was having fun, but I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing. The game walks you through the mechanics, but it doesn't do a good job painting the larger picture. Once everything clicked for me, my enjoyment went way up. My biggest gripe was that you can't save during a level. Each day is divided into morning, noon, afternoon and evening, then you loop back to morning. At each time of day, you can choose one of four locations on the island to play. The game saves only after you finish that time of day. When you're playing a section, you can't save and quit. (In my case, my kid would play the PS5 and would remove the Deathloop disc, so I couldn't just pause the game and turn it off, then resume later.) When you're learning what to do, those levels could take me close to two hours, because I'm slow and try to kill everyone without being seen, so it takes me longer. But as you get used to playing, the levels go more quickly. 

I play, at most, only 5 games a year, so I'm picky about which ones I choose. Deathloop was totally worth it. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I liked it.  Worth playing once.   You will need a guide or something to link it all together but I found it really cool

Is it like hitman but you only have 24 hours to kill all your target?Is it like hitman but you only have 24 hours to kill all your targets?

 

[need2know]

Is it like hitman but you only have 24 hours to kill all your target?Is it like hitman but you only have 24 hours to kill all your targets?

You have to do everything in one day and what you do earlier in the day effects the next part of the day. But there are things you can do to get multiple targets in one place and open things up earlier to help you later.   It's a great concept and a ton of fun.  The gunplay music and everything is top.notch.   I really liked it

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

Is it like hitman but you only have 24 hours to kill all your target?Is it like hitman but you only have 24 hours to kill all your targets?

so 48 hours?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

so 48 hours?

Lol. Voice to text does that to me all the time I often don’t proofread before I reply.

 

[DallasDMac]

Best game of the last gen and the best Soulsborne game so far.

I don't recommend trying this on your first playthrough, or second or third.  But for people who have already beaten this game a few times and are looking for something different, I highly recommend trying an Arcane build.  ...

When does this build get good? I decided to try this out after reading your post. I just got to Old Yarnham. I put everything in to Arcane starting out. Up to Level 25 on it. The other few level ups went to Vitality. I have the Saw Spear and Flamer, both of which I upgraded to +3 I think. So far, it just seems like a glass hunter build.

 

[Mile High]

It looks so awesome...but I am not good at any of the Soul's games so need to wait for reviews before I make any decisions.

Been watching some live game play videos on YouTube. So far it's mostly guys just running around trying not to die.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Played elder ring for about 2 hours last night. It’s amazing. 

 

[IvanKaramazov]

When does this build get good? I decided to try this out after reading your post. I just got to Old Yarnham. I put everything in to Arcane starting out. Up to Level 25 on it. The other few level ups went to Vitality. I have the Saw Spear and Flamer, both of which I upgraded to +3 I think. So far, it just seems like a glass hunter build.

It takes a little while, and it more or less requires farming some gems in the chalice dungeons.  Here's a guide that kind of lays out a possible pathway.  You're going to be taking Arcane all the way up to 99 if that gives you an idea of what to expect, but the executioners gloves will be very effective against most enemies much earlier.

This is a build that the developers put in the game for people who are looking for a very different experience.  You have to know what you're doing even to make this build viable, and in the meantime regular mobs will be a little harder than usual.  But it's fun once you get rolling.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

I started playing Madden 22 on PS5 a week or so ago. I haven’t played any Madden games in probably 20 years. I’m going through the Campaign in Ultimate Team (each “week” you have a few challenges and then a game) since it seemed like the closest thing to a tutorial mode. Here are a random assortment of initial thoughts:

• The announcers sometimes say things that make no sense in the context of the game… e.g on first down after I receive the opening kickoff, he’ll say something like, “And now the 9ers begin their second possession after the interception.”
  
• Similary, the stats that appear on screen are often (always?) incorrect. In the same situation as above, where it’s the first play of the game, it might say something like “Rosen 3/5 42 yds,” It really breaks the immersion when the things I’m seeing and hearing have no relation to the game I’m playing.
  
• The challenges I’m doing are presented as kind of a tutorial, e.g. they’ll say “In this challenge we’ll learn about the different catch types” and then the challenge is something like “Make 3 aggressive catches on this drive” - but it doesn’t tell me how to make an aggressive catch. I’m sure it’s somewhere in the game but I’ve just been googling a lot of those things to see which buttons to press since the game isn’t telling me.
  
• Almost always in the games, the team that kicks off at the start of the game also kicks off at the beginning of the second half. I have no idea why. Makes some of the games & bonus challenges much easier or harder if I get the ball to start both halves or not.
  

Is my game just really glitchy for some reason or is this standard? I’m still enjoying the game but it seems weird for a 30 year old football franchise to be messing up such basic things.

 

[Ron Popeil]

Set my console to "new zealand" so that I could play a couple hours of Elden Ring last night.  Offline only but that's ok.  #####footed my way to the church/vendor and died to some bats.  Vendor recommendations!  

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Not sure how many people are in this boat, but if you're interested in Elden Ring and unsure about the platform, be advised that the PC version is apparently pretty rough.  It sounds like this game has minor issues on all consoles, but the PC version in particular is probably best avoided.  Or at least look before you buy.

I'll probably start tonight on PS5.  I'll be on the lookout for those bats.   

 

[belljr]

I started playing Madden 22 on PS5 a week or so ago. I haven’t played any Madden games in probably 20 years. I’m going through the Campaign in Ultimate Team (each “week” you have a few challenges and then a game) since it seemed like the closest thing to a tutorial mode. Here are a random assortment of initial thoughts:

• The announcers sometimes say things that make no sense in the context of the game… e.g on first down after I receive the opening kickoff, he’ll say something like, “And now the 9ers begin their second possession after the interception.”
  
• Similary, the stats that appear on screen are often (always?) incorrect. In the same situation as above, where it’s the first play of the game, it might say something like “Rosen 3/5 42 yds,” It really breaks the immersion when the things I’m seeing and hearing have no relation to the game I’m playing.
  
• The challenges I’m doing are presented as kind of a tutorial, e.g. they’ll say “In this challenge we’ll learn about the different catch types” and then the challenge is something like “Make 3 aggressive catches on this drive” - but it doesn’t tell me how to make an aggressive catch. I’m sure it’s somewhere in the game but I’ve just been googling a lot of those things to see which buttons to press since the game isn’t telling me.
  
• Almost always in the games, the team that kicks off at the start of the game also kicks off at the beginning of the second half. I have no idea why. Makes some of the games & bonus challenges much easier or harder if I get the ball to start both halves or not.
  

Is my game just really glitchy for some reason or is this standard? I’m still enjoying the game but it seems weird for a 30 year old football franchise to be messing up such basic things.

I don't have those issues completely in franchise......like kickoff bug.

The announcing is a little buggy

 

[hagmania]

re: Elden Ring PC release and performance

Most all of my friends playing this are on PC and a couple have reported similarly. Gameplay is getting rave reviews from them though so I'd bet they are in the positive vote camp.

As for myself, I was not a big fan of From Software in previous titles, but my tastes have changed over the past couple years so the open world aspect might be enough to draw me in.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Played again for a couple of hours… 

Started as a prisoner - focusing on INT. Ive grounded a little bit and got my INT up to 21 but I’m not doing any extra damage. 

I was pretty frustrated at first. Those bats are no fun! Every direction I went it didn’t go well. At all! I ran into no less than 4 bosses until I found a merchant and a cave to do some grinding. I’m a glass cannon so I’m still pretty weak. 

So far it’s as advertised. The open world is seamless. One of my major gripes with open world RPGs is usually the landscape is void of life. Not here. Hawks, Deer, muskrat looking things, tortoises, wild bore and more roam the land and can be attacked. The trees and changing weather looks great. The day/night cycle is a nice addition with real impact. The controls feel smooth and responsive. 
 

SMALL SPOILER-ISH comment below (but I think you should all be warned of what I found or you may need to restart) I will be vague as possible and IMO it isn’t going to ruin anything.) 

I’ll give em a try, lets see if spoiler tags work: They don’t.  

Spoiler

Not far from where you start, surrounded by some undead and their hounds is a underground entrance with rats inside. I DO NOT RECOMMEND that you open that chest unless you’re stronger. I found it in the first five minutes and I after a few tries I chose to restart rather than spend hours of frustration trying to get out of what I got into. That’s all I will say. 

 

[ShamrockPride]

@STEADYMOBBIN 22 From a prospective player: Keep em coming, enjoying reading about your playthrough.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

@STEADYMOBBIN 22 From a prospective player: Keep em coming, enjoying reading about your playthrough.

Same.  My personal two cents on Souls games is that part of the fun is engaging with the rest of community as you explore, look for help, figure out what various items do, and so on.  They were obviously designed with that in mind, considering how the online element works. 

I did see another post on another forum describing the chest that SM22 apparently encountered, and    

 

[DallasDMac]

It takes a little while, and it more or less requires farming some gems in the chalice dungeons.  Here's a guide that kind of lays out a possible pathway.  You're going to be taking Arcane all the way up to 99 if that gives you an idea of what to expect, but the executioners gloves will be very effective against most enemies much earlier.

I see it doesn't really begin until after BSB. I am looking forward to it being my first real use of the FS.

 

[TLEF316]

Never played a Dark Souls game (dont really intend to either) but watching Dr. Disrespect play today for the laughs. I know there's some of his schtick involved...but MAN does this game look absurdly complicated and tedious to play. What a nightmare.

 

[DallasDMac]

This is a build that the developers put in the game for people who are looking for a very different experience.  You have to know what you're doing even to make this build viable, and in the meantime regular mobs will be a little harder than usual.  But it's fun once you get rolling.

Have to admit, interest is being lost pretty quickly. Character's just to weak early to hold my interest. Maybe after another game or two is finished I might pick it up again. But right now, nah.

 

[Moe.]

Can’t recommend Sifu strongly enough. If you’re sick of the same old same old and found Hades to be a refreshing change of pace you want to play this game. The most interesting death mechanic I’ve ever seen in a game 

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

I finally fired up a game in Days Gone, which I downloaded from PS+ some time last year. it's pretty fun so far, and the northwest setting is pretty unique.

I met my first bear last night. it did not go well. the phrase "chew toy" comes to mind.

 

[need2know]

I met my first bear last night. it did not go well. the phrase "chew toy" comes to mind.

I went through days gone for the first time a few weeks back.  Great game.   Same as you I got it for free from ps plus.  Wish I had played it earlier.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Very first room of Eden Ring.  Tutorial level.  Literally three steps from the spawn point of the entire game:

Oh, a message.  Let's see what it says.

"Try fingers but hole!"

Yep, it's a Souls game.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I totally showed those bats who's boss.  Then I killed a turtle.  Then I saw a giant crab and decided it was probably not a good idea to tussle with him.  If there's one thing I learned from the PS3 era, it's "Never mess with a giant enemy crab unless it has an obvious weak spot that I can hit for massive damage."  This didn't have that, so I gave it a wide berth.  Then I tried to kill a guy on horseback and got murdered.  

Then I wandered around for a little while, killing more kangaroos, eagles, and bats.  I picked lots of flowers.  Then a guy on horseback rode up behind me while I wasn't paying attention and killed me in one hit.  

Cool game.

(Actually this game is pretty awesome.  I just need to figure out how the hell to level up and get a horse.)

 

[belljr]

Can’t recommend Sifu strongly enough. If you’re sick of the same old same old and found Hades to be a refreshing change of pace you want to play this game. The most interesting death mechanic I’ve ever seen in a game 

This is on my list at some point

 

[belljr]

HFW is better than HZD 

@Hawks64 approved

 

[Hawks64]

HFW is better than HZD 

@Hawks64 approved

Definitely missing the laughing reaction for this one.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Elden Ring-

I am putting my mage on hold. It’s just not a fun build for me. I suck at dodging and my one spell doesn’t even make contact most of the time. When it does it just feels like cheese. 

I re-rolled a new toon, the hero who has a shield and an axe. This is more my speed and a whole lot easier for me to survive. 

This game is not for the faint at heart. 

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Elden Ring-

I am putting my mage on hold. It’s just not a fun build for me. I suck at dodging and my one spell doesn’t even make contact most of the time. When it does it just feels like cheese. 

I re-rolled a new toon, the hero who has a shield and an axe. This is more my speed and a whole lot easier for me to survive. 

This game is not for the faint at heart. 

I started as a mage (astrologer), but I'm thinking about re-rolling too.  After watching a couple of videos, it sounds like the primary playstyle for this build is spamming that spell you start with for pretty much the entire game.  I'm not above cheesing enemies in this type of game, especially bosses, but this doesn't feel very satisfying.

For now I'm going to stick with it and try to build my guy as a spell-sword or something and see how that goes.  But that strength build that I almost rolled is looking more tempting all the time.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I started as a mage (astrologer), but I'm thinking about re-rolling too.  After watching a couple of videos, it sounds like the primary playstyle for this build is spamming that spell you start with for pretty much the entire game.  I'm not above cheesing enemies in this type of game, especially bosses, but this doesn't feel very satisfying.

For now I'm going to stick with it and try to build my guy as a spell-sword or something and see how that goes.  But that strength build that I almost rolled is looking more tempting all the time.

Exactly. I mean other than strict pvp builds in the end we can have our cake and eat it too by being a STR (or Dex) build and then adding a spell class later. Going mage first seems like a unnecessary struggle.

I say go for it. I’m already able to take on stronger enemies and even put up a fight against bosses when before I was just getting one shotted. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

If anybody reading this is new to Souls games and struggles- start with the Vagabond class (or knight in older versions). Raise your endurance, STR and vigor and you will have a much easier time. 

 

[need2know]

Elden ring is just what I hoped it would be

Guess I'm going to go with my normal vigor dex endurance build.   Seems to always be effective

 

[need2know]

Can’t recommend Sifu strongly enough. If you’re sick of the same old same old and found Hades to be a refreshing change of pace you want to play this game. The most interesting death mechanic I’ve ever seen in a game 

It's not on steam?   Can you get this for pc?

 

[Mile High]

If anybody reading this is new to Souls games and struggles- start with the Vagabond class (or knight in older versions). Raise your endurance, STR and vigor and you will have a much easier time. 

From what I been reading the Astrologer class is also good for new players to this.

 

[Mile High]

After watching a couple of videos, it sounds like the primary playstyle for this build is spamming that spell you start with for pretty much the entire game.  

How is that much different then just swinging your melee weapon the whole game? I do agree with a spell sword is usually my default endgame for these types of games. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

How is that much different then just swinging your melee weapon the whole game? I do agree with a spell sword is usually my default endgame for these types of games. 

You’re at least engaging with the enemy/getting into contact situations. With the spells early on you’re just standing back spamming the same button over.

 

[Mile High]

You’re at least engaging with the enemy/getting into contact situations. With the spells early on you’re just standing back spamming the same button over.

Isn't the point of being a mage is standing back and  sling spells that work the whole point of being a mage? I like a good sword and board build to, but that gets tedious as well. Give me a good spell sword build. I like to be able to nuke you from afar if I choose. What's your opinion of which class makes a better spell sword. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Isn't the point of being a mage is standing back and  sling spells that work the whole point of being a mage? I like a good sword and board build to, but that gets tedious as well. Give me a good spell sword build. I like to be able to nuke you from afar if I choose. What's your opinion of which class makes a better spell sword. 

Yes. That is the point. I don’t find that very fun. Lock on- cast spell. Lock on cast spell. Rinse and repeat. That’s boring to me. 
 

Engaging with the enemy produces different outcomes every single time. 

I would go prisoner because of the starting stats but the astrologer is probably easier because (I think) you get two spells.

 

[Mile High]

Yes. That is the point. I don’t find that very fun. Lock on- cast spell. Lock on cast spell. Rinse and repeat. That’s boring to me. 
 

Engaging with the enemy produces different outcomes every single time. 

I would go prisoner because of the starting stats but the astrologer is probably easier because (I think) you get two spells.

I'll look at prisoner. I usually like to start these types of games as a sword and board type as usually health and armor isn't a bad thing but usually build towards spell sword.  

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'll look at prisoner. I usually like to start these types of games as a sword and board type as usually health and armor isn't a bad thing but usually build towards spell sword.  

So why not just go as a hero and add magery later?