I looked through my backlog and finally decided to play Heat Signature. It’s pretty fun, my only qualm is the lack of armor-piercing weapons and the abundance of armored guards.
This game is such a hidden gem.
I managed to find a workaround for my Easy Anti-Cheat issue so I’m back to The Division 2. Well, kinda.
I once again ended up installing the first game and spent some time alternating between the two to compare them - it’s something I do pretty much every time I’m in the mood for TD.As much as I like TD2, I refreshed my realisation that in many aspects I still prefer the first game. I actually made a simple list last night of what I like about each game and it turned out way more one sided than I thought it would.
TD1:
- Atmosphere
- Game world
- Enemy factions
- Writing
- Slightly slower pace (movement, combat. looting)
- Cosmetics (UI and items themselves)
- Dark Zone
- Exotic weapons (in regards to looks, TD2 ones are hideous)
TD2:
- Improved cover system
- Armour and weakpoint systems
There are also some things I keep going back and forth on, mainly: gunplay and skills. Which game I prefer for these elements depends on how I feel and what I’m looking for at the time. This week, the first game comes out on top as well but, again, it’s more of a temporary decision compared to everything listed above.
Anyway, this is just a simple comparison without much thought put into it. I’m sure I could get more into details of specific systems and add a ton of conditions on when one is better than the other but it was a fun time waster after finishing a day with both titles.
If only there was a way to play the first game on the updated engine…
I finished Outer Wilds a couple days ago, I really liked it a lot. I had heard everyone say to go in completely blind and I had the impression that there was going to be a major twist or change in gameplay, but the reason that’s good advice is the magic in the game is in the exploration and discovery. There are some moments that just made me feel awe and wonder. Progress is entirely in the form of understanding, so starting the game for the first time after reading up a lot about it could be like introducing yourself to mario on world 4.
The first few hours I wasn’t fully into it, but there was just so much to explore. By the time I actually needed to take a couple hours on something and smash my head against the wall, I was already hooked and was willing to take that time to make progress on my own.
Brilliant game, absolutely my favourite in terms of design. It’s incredible how many realisations you make along the way. No other game has made me sit up in bed after going to sleep and tell my partner that I think I know what to do next.
The start is wonky, though. I’ve had a few friends bounce off it because of that. And also because they didn’t feel like you were given a clear goal or motivation. Which is really interesting, to me just going to space a exploring was motivation enough, but fair that it’s not the same for everyone.
Obsessed with Pacific Drive these days. The gameplay loop of exploring and gathering resources to go back and work on your car to go out and gather more resources is really well balanced.
Really liking the transition from the start where everything is scary and dangerous to later where you understand how to interact with the anomalies, and get a feel for how dangerous they are under which circumstances.
It’s aesthetically pleasing, that game. Loved watching people play it.
Look, I may have spent the past several weeks playing Path of Exile non-stop. But I’m back on SOMA now. Back to slowly walking on the ocean floor and being interrupted by monsters while I read lore notes.
It’s also time to start up TF2 again, since a new community MvM event has started on potato.tf.
I’ve been mostly playing microsoft flight simulator 2020 in VR and a patreon work in progress build of a game called grimorium. It’s extremely bare bones still but it’s nice to see what the dev is working on and adding on a weekly basis updated build. I like how i just asked if it would be hard to add a 3D mode for me to play on a 3D VR flat screen and they just went ahead and added a stereoscopic mode that i can use for that. So i’ve been testing and exploring the world in 3D this week :)
VR made me queasy in MSFS. Is that an issue for you?
Eye tracking ended up working way better for me.
I’m so used to VR that nothing makes me feel weird now. I can do barel rolls in an f-18 with no issues XD
After spending way too much time walking about doing random stuff, I finally bit the bullet and joined the Stormcloaks. Yep, I’m still playing Skyrim.
I’m still playing Skyrim after 5k hours. I get it.
I’ve been playing a lot of Slay this week.
It’s my favorite ‘conquest’ type of game. Been playing it off and on for many years. I would call it ‘simple but deep’ in the same sort of way chess is. I dare even call it elegant. I like how it forces you to take calculated risks, lest you be overrun by the enemy. But there’s still a time and place to turtle up.
There’s an excellent free, online clone called Konkr. I highly recommend checking it out of this interests you.
I’ve been playing The Sims 2. The “Legacy Collection” was on sale the other day and I installed it on my Stream Deck. My feelings of nostalgia got the better of me and I’ve been playing it a lot. It’s just so nice to relax with a fun game that I already know and that isn’t demanding.
It runs well on the Steam Deck by the way, I haven’t had any crashes yet. It was a bit tricky to get the console cheats working, but you can set up a button for that. Next thing I’ll try is add some mods.
How do you feel about the controls on the Deck? I tried playing the classic version last year and had to put it down after a few minutes due to hand strain. One of the very few games it ever happened to me.
That sucks, but I can see that happening. The first time I played my thumb got a bit stained, but after adjusting my grip it’s been fine. Everybody’s hands are different of course, so I don’t know what would work for you.
The controls are okay, but it’s very obviously a game designed for mouse and keyboard. I use the right track pad to control the pointer, and one thing I’ve found that makes it easier in building mode, is just moving the camera with the left stick instead of trying to move the pointer to draw a long wall for example.
Some things just remain annoying though, like scrolling through the endless list of wallpapers. There’s just no way around moving the pointer all the way to the arrow to click to the next page and back again to select something. It is what it is. I just accept that it’s a slower experience.
That’s pretty much how I played too so I guess there’s no hidden technique to make it work easily. Guess I’ll have to play around with it some more. Thanks!
Nethack 5.0.0 that has been released this week.
Graphics are great, the sound is amazing, but it’s all about the story really.
Assassins Creed 1
Recently got gifted xbox360 Slim. Hacked it and made it run downloaded games. I always had PC and no consoles, so I am catching up with games. Finished Asura’s Wrath, Juiced 2, Dante’s Inferno and now for the first time in my life playing Assassins Creed. Cant wait to play though 2nd and Black Flag. Heard so much great stuff about these both games.
I recently finished zelda twilight princess (gamecube version). Not really a patient gaming situation, i did get it on launch for the wii as the impatient gamer i was back in 2006. But it was a fun replay, but it is honestly all too easy. Im not one for very difficult battle where i die over and over again before i am able to defeat the boss, but some more puzzle-like challenges to the battles would be nice.
Ive since started luigis mansion - never played that one for some reason. Only about 1hr in, but it is fun enough :)
- zero-k
- wow, still
BallxPit is very fun and they just released a couple decent sized updates including new levels, balls, fusions, evolutions, and characters.
I think I picked it up on psn for like $10 or $15.
